Leader of Opposition Says Presidential Speech on Security Failed to Reassure Nation

This afternoon the Leader of Opposition (LOP) Winnie Kizza discussed the performance of the 10th parliament in its second session.

Kiiza who expressed worry on the current security situation in the country, said “Matters of security cannot go cost free. We are leaving the matter of security to government. It's not the responsibility of Parliament or the opposition to guarantee security. I think you saw the measures that were proposed.”

She said that the country is peaceful yet we are still choking on debts. Peace is not about absence of war, it’s more than that.”

Kiiza expressed disappointment with President Yoweri Museveni’s address especially with the current state of security. She said “The President didn't speak to Ugandans, he spoke to himself. He proposed many things he didn't even budget for in his budget. When we told him he had not paid for the cameras that would track killers after the death of (AIGP Andrew Felix) Kaweesi, he said the government will provide.”

She said that the president’s Security address didn’t speak the current security situations but rather a sensitization to Parliament on Uganda’s history.

Kiiza also said that poor planning, adherence to laws, curbing of corruption are some of the things that have failed the 10th Parliament in the 2nd Session and advised that if the performance of the Parliament is to improve, the issue of the construction of the new parliamentary chambers needs to be addressed to allow for more legislators to debate.

“Yesterday, only around 200 MPs found where to sit. Some who attended were standing in corridors.” She added.

Kiiza said that as the opposition have not yet come to terms with what happened during the constitutional amendment of article 102(b). She said they still waiting on court’s decision challenging the amendment of the constitution.

Kiiza noted that the government’s decision to borrow internally will lead to a freeze in the economy. She said natives who can’t borrow from international banks will find it hard to acquire loans locally.

The opposition which is provided for the by Article 82 A[1] of the 1995 constitution and the abridged constitution of 1996 of the Republic of Uganda

The main role of the opposition is to question the executive and hold them accountable to the public, however, other roles include but are not limited to; scrutinizing the work of the government; debating bills in the parliament.