Ssenyonyi whines again, says it's all he can do

Since taking over from Mathis Mpuuga in January, Nakawa West MP Ssenyonyi has used every media briefing to whinge while chipping sense and actionable issues in-between.

PARLIAMENT | Joel Ssenyonyi addressed the media for the 15th time as the Leader of the Opposition today and whined. In fact his crosses the line of whining: it is full-throttle whinging.

Since taking over from Mathis Mpuuga in January, Nakawa West MP Ssenyonyi has used every media briefing to whinge while chipping sense and actionable issues in-between.

And on Thursday, he admitted his powers were limited to crying and lamenting.

"What some people call lamenting it is us, me and my colleagues keeping government in check," Mr Ssenyonyi said.

In recent months, Ssenyonyi has continuously raised concerns over alleged misconduct within Parliament, notably his exclusion from key commission sittings.

On Thursday, he shrieked with the a familiar line, that he is not invited for Commission meetings like it was the case with his predecessor.

Mr Ssenyonyi has whined about the Parliamentary Commission meetings at every MIC almost as if it is the media to solve the situation.

He would probably seek other courses such as legal recourse but maybe there is no such an avenue.

These grievances have sparked debates over his effectiveness as a leader, with some questioning whether his approach of vocal lamentation can truly effect change.

However, Ssenyonyi stands firm in his strategy. "I will not stop speaking out because, for now, that’s all I can do," he said.

"Now that we are in opposition our role is to keep the government in check. When we get to Power we shall just be arresting the thieves," emphasized Ssenyonyi.

The LoP's public denunciations have become a cornerstone of his leadership, drawing both support and skepticism. Some critics argue that his frequent outbursts might portray him as powerless, reducing his influence in the legislative process.

Nonetheless, Ssenyonyi insists that his public appeals are crucial for keeping the government in check.

"I know that the government uses that to try and blackmail us so that we keep quiet, ah aha you are just lamenting. We are carrying out our cardinal duty." Ssenyonyi declared, attributing the criticism to a government-led effort to undermine his credibility.

"My cries have exposed corruption and other misdeeds in Parliament."

Ssenyonyi’s efforts have not gone unnoticed by political observers. Godber Tumushabe, a prominent political analyst, praised Ssenyonyi for his persistence in highlighting the wrongdoings within Parliament.

Tumushabe acknowledged that given the current political environment, Ssenyonyi's options are limited, and public outcry may be his only effective recourse.

"Given the way the country is run, there is little he can do beyond making public appeals," Tumushabe observed.

"There is little he can do because he is operating in a constrained space."

The role of the Leader of Opposition, as established under Article 82A of the 1995 Constitution and Article 6A of the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Act, 2006, is indeed a significant one.

The LoP is tasked with holding the government accountable, appointing the shadow cabinet, and providing alternative policies and advice to the government.

However, Ssenyonyi has expressed frustration with the limited powers of his office, which he believes restrict his ability to enact tangible change.

The serious issues

Meanwhile, Mr Ssenyonyi also raised serious issues deserving of LoP office, threatening legal action against the government over the alleged negligence in the Kiteezi landfill tragedy, the issue of medical interns deployment, among others.

He welcomed Canada's decision to deport Uganda's High Commissioner, Joy Ruth Acheng, and the recall of Henry Mayega, deputy ambassador to United Arab Emirates, saying it is time government stopped appointing "political failures who only export incompetence to the global scene".

“Medical interns have been protesting almost every day, the Ministry of Health says they need Shs18bn, why can’t we press government, to bring a supplementary over that?" he said.

"Parliament has passed several supplementary over ridiculous things. And the medical interns, it isn’t just for their good that they get to finish their course, but they are deployed in different hospitals and they get to address the medical challenges there."

Mr Ssenyonyi said at regional hospitals, the bulk of the work is done by interns, arguing that deployment would plug gabs in patient-doctor ratio.

"Let us address the critical issues as opposed to politicking and saying now, that people are going to be happy that MPs are in their area," he said.