Following the recent chaos in the Parliament, political expert Dr. Sam Kazibwe has spoken out, offering a fresh perspective on the institution’s ongoing struggles with independence. According to Dr. Kazibwe, the dramatic scenes seen recently—marked by fights between MPs, the expulsion of journalists, and heavy security presence—are nothing new for Uganda’s parliamentary history.

Kazibwe, along with fellow political analyst Dr. Yusuf Sserunkuuma, argues that Uganda’s parliaments have never truly operated independently since independence. “All the parliaments Uganda has had since independence have been reduced to desks in the Governor’s office, the Chief Minister’s office, and now in the President’s office,” Dr. Kazibwe remarked.

Both analysts believe that the events unfolding in Parliament are reflective of a deeper, long-standing issue. “Parliamentary democracy in Uganda is a lie we’ve lived with since the colonial era,” Dr. Sserunkuuma stated. They both suggest that Uganda has never experienced a truly independent Parliament, with only two parliaments before 1966 considered vibrant.

Looking to the future, Kazibwe expressed concern that similar laws will continue to be passed to serve the interests of a few. He also suggested that Uganda’s 1995 Constitution is outdated and no longer serves the country’s democratic needs, calling for a new constitution to address the country’s political challenges.

While the NRM government maintains it acts in the public’s interest, Dr. Kazibwe’s insights suggest that, unless substantial reforms are made, Uganda’s Parliament will remain entangled in the executive’s grip, undermining its ability to represent the people effectively.

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Read more: https://nilepost.co.ug/news/225827/parliament-or-puppet-ugandas-legislative-struggle