Opposition open to talks with NRM, says Mpuuga

The Opposition is ready for talks with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) on the constitutional and electoral reforms required.

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mathias Mpuuga, made the remarks while meeting a delegation of European Union (EU) ambassadors at Parliament in Kampala.

Mpuuga told the ambassadors that the violence that characterised the 2021 general elections is indicative of the challenges Ugandans face in their quest for sound democracy and good governance.

“Some of the laws have gaps that need to be addressed. As the Opposition, we are ready to engage the ruling party to rethink the future of Uganda away from their desire to rule for eternity,” he said.

Mpuuga told the development partners that the Opposition is looking forward to a candid conversation with NRM on addressing the constitutional and electoral gaps so that Uganda elections cease being a farce.

Some of the constitutional reforms they would push for, Mpuuga said, include those aimed at enhancing the devolution of power to the local governments to make them more effective in delivering services to Ugandans.

On the education sector, Mpuuga said the Opposition is deeply concerned that the Government has continued to keep schools closed, which is jeopardising the future of many young Ugandans.

Regarding the health sector, the Leader of Opposition pledged his commitment to pushing for more prioritisation of the sector, so that it is adequately funded to safeguard the lives of Ugandans.

Mpuuga said through the alternative charter of fiscal responsibility the Opposition presented to the Parliament’s budget committee last week, they give proposals for expanding the country’s tax base and proper use of public finances.

The opposition leader told the development partners that the leadership of opposition in Parliament has already crafted its legislative agenda, which entails laws that have to be passed to enhance democracy and improve the country’s development.

The delegation included ambassadors Attilio Pacifici (European Union), Dr Roswitha Kremser (Austria), Veestraeten Rudi (Belgium), Nicolas Petersen (Denmark), Mathias Schauer (Germany), Kevin Colgan (Ireland), Dr Janos Terenyi (Hungary), and the deputy head of the EU delegation to Uganda, Anna Merrifield.

While meeting the Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, few weeks ago, the EU ambassadors raised concern about the violence that characterised the 2021 general elections, the ban on the activities of some civil society organisations, and also wished to know what the priorities of the new leadership of the House would be over the next five years.