Opposition Members of Parliament have stormed out of Parliament this morning, boycotting the plenary sitting convened to debate and pass the contentious Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill 2025 and the Political Parties and Organisations Amendment Bill 2025.
The move caught the House by surprise, especially after the opposition caucus had, just a day earlier, resolved to attend the session—a break from their usual stance of boycotting sittings involving controversial legislation.
Initially, opposition MPs filled their seats in the chamber, giving the impression that they would participate in the debate.
However, Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi abruptly announced that they would walk out, citing the futility of debating bills whose outcomes had already been predetermined.
“We can’t be part of this. There is no room for debate,” he said, before leading his colleagues out of the House.
Ssenyonyi’s comments came in reaction to yesterday’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) caucus meeting at State House Entebbe, where ruling party MPs reportedly agreed to pass the UPDF Bill “as it is.”
The opposition argues that such pre-arranged positions render parliamentary debate meaningless and reduce the legislative process to a rubber stamp.
The two bills have sparked concern within opposition ranks and civil society. Critics say the UPDF Amendment Bill 2025 would entrench military influence in civilian affairs, while the Political Parties Bill is seen as an attempt to curtail independent political organising and dissent.
A press conference by the opposition is expected shortly to clarify their position and next steps.
More details to follow.