Two National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislators want Parliament recalled from recess with immediate effect.

Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County) and Barnabas Tinkasimiire (Buyaga west) echoed this while addressing a press conference at Parliament on Wednesday, March 13.

 The duo say this is imperative given recent allegations that have submerged the August House in a sea of corruption.

Ssekikubo also demanded for answers as to why the notice to recall Parliament issued by Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige had been withdrawn.

Their list includes financial misappropriation, abuse of travel allowances and outright chauvinism by presiding officers which they say featured on social media posts titled #UgandaParliamentaryExhibition.

“We can’t now talk with our heads high on the streets of Kampala, we smuggle ourselves and bolt out. It isn’t now the best time to be identified as MPs. We are all bundled up, nobody is giving answers, should we all go by roll call, not me, not me? We are all being castigated and we look bad in the eyes of the public,” said Ssekikubo.

“With those rundown allegations which we can’t find reasons and answers to and if indeed there is no ground, why doesn’t someone come out and issue a statement, and I have two options that I can give the Speaker, let her immediately reconvene Parliament, let a statement be issued, let it be debated because Parliament can only act when Parliament is sitting,” he added.

Ssekikubo also demanded for answers as to why the notice to recall Parliament issued by Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige had been withdrawn.

Correspondences seen by this publication show that Mwesige issued a communique on March 11, 2024, in which he made it clear that plenary would resume the next day.

However, the order was reversed on the same day. 

Parliament responds

However, in an interview with New Vision on Wednesday, Parliament’s Director of Communications and Public Affairs Chris Obore disagreed with the rebel MPs.

“Recalling the House is solely the responsibility of the Speaker in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. It is the Speaker to consider their requests,” Obore argued.