Veteran politician and aviation expert Captain Francis Babu has called on Members of Parliament to prioritise national interests over partisan alignment as debate grows over cooperation between the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and a bloc of independent legislators ahead of Uganda’s 12th Parliament.
Speaking during an interview on NBS Television, Babu stressed that all elected leaders carry a responsibility to represent their constituents while keeping the broader national agenda at the centre of legislative deliberations.
“The elected MPs are people who represent their constituencies regardless of political affiliation. What matters now is whether leaders will address national issues,” he said.
Babu argued that Parliament should function as a platform for constructive engagement rather than political confrontation, noting that key processes such as passing the national budget require a unified national perspective.
“When you are in Parliament and something is brought forward, you are looking at Uganda as a whole. A budget is not about one constituency but about the entire country,” he added.
He cautioned against portraying Parliament as a battleground between government and opposition, advocating instead for informed, solution-oriented debate.
“Parliament shouldn’t be a war. It should be constructive debate and criticism,” he said.
Babu also challenged perceptions about the role of opposition MPs, saying their primary duty should be to assess whether proposed policies and legislation benefit the country.
“Members should be knowledgeable about the bills and budgets they are debating and decide based on what is good for Uganda — not just to oppose,” he noted.
His remarks come amid political realignment within Parliament. Recently, the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, hosted a delegation of independent MPs at the NRM Secretariat in Nakasero to discuss a formal cooperation framework.
Among revealed that out of 69 independent legislators, at least 62 had expressed interest in aligning with the ruling party.
“This is something worth celebrating because it adds to our already big numbers,” she said.
She also announced that MPs who have agreed to cooperate with the NRM will be officially welcomed at the upcoming Kyankwanzi Retreat scheduled for April 7, 2026.
“As Parliament, we are ready to work with the independents and give them assignments both from the party and from Parliament,” Among said.
The cooperation follows recent political shifts, with several legislators including Twaha Kagabo (Bukoto South), Anthony Akol (Kilak North), Yusuf Nsibambi, and Moses Okot (Kioga County) signalling intentions to work more closely with the government.
NRM officials have welcomed the development, describing it as a sign of the party’s continued influence. However, the emerging alliance has sparked debate among observers about its potential impact on legislative scrutiny and the balance of political voices in the 12th Parliament.
While critics warn that an expanded ruling majority could weaken dissent, Babu maintains that the effectiveness of Parliament will ultimately depend less on numbers and more on whether MPs engage in informed debate guided by national interest.