Opposition MPs to discuss UPDF Somalia deployment
Jan 22, 2007
The Leader of the Opposition, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, has called a meeting of opposition MPs to discuss the impending deployment of Ugandan troops in Somalia.
By Mary Karugaba
The Leader of the Opposition, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, has called a meeting of opposition MPs to discuss the impending deployment of Ugandan troops in Somalia.
The caucus meets today at Parliament to agree on a common position before the Government presents it for discussion.
The NRM caucus has already approved the deployment.
Latigo said: “Now that the NRM caucus has met, the opposition would also like to meet and come up with a position.â€
However, he was irked that he had not yet been briefed on the deployment.
“Unfortunately the Government and the minister of defence have not seen it fit to consult and brief us. The deployment should be seen as a national issue rather than an NRM party issue.â€
The opposition chief whip, Kassiano Wadri, revealed that the opposition will not support the motion unless they were convinced by the Government that it was doing the right thing.
“We shall not support the motion unless the Government assures us on security in the north. We need to know what our troops are going to do, who will maintain them and if things turn sour, what the exit strategy is.â€
According to the state minister for defence, Ruth Nankabirwa, the Government will table the motion immediately after Parliament resumes on January 30, as required by the Constitution.
President Yoweri Museveni recently told the press in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, that Uganda would contribute 1,000 troops to the peace-keeping mission.
The Leader of the Opposition, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, has called a meeting of opposition MPs to discuss the impending deployment of Ugandan troops in Somalia.
The caucus meets today at Parliament to agree on a common position before the Government presents it for discussion.
The NRM caucus has already approved the deployment.
Latigo said: “Now that the NRM caucus has met, the opposition would also like to meet and come up with a position.â€
However, he was irked that he had not yet been briefed on the deployment.
“Unfortunately the Government and the minister of defence have not seen it fit to consult and brief us. The deployment should be seen as a national issue rather than an NRM party issue.â€
The opposition chief whip, Kassiano Wadri, revealed that the opposition will not support the motion unless they were convinced by the Government that it was doing the right thing.
“We shall not support the motion unless the Government assures us on security in the north. We need to know what our troops are going to do, who will maintain them and if things turn sour, what the exit strategy is.â€
According to the state minister for defence, Ruth Nankabirwa, the Government will table the motion immediately after Parliament resumes on January 30, as required by the Constitution.
President Yoweri Museveni recently told the press in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, that Uganda would contribute 1,000 troops to the peace-keeping mission.