Uganda's Opposition Outlines 5-Point Agenda for 12th Parliament

The opposition in Uganda’s Parliament is set to take a more proactive role in the 12th Parliament, moving beyond criticism to present a comprehensive legislative agenda. This strategic shift was announced following a two-day retreat in Entebbe, where the Office of the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) detailed five core priorities.

These priorities are centered around enhancing accountability and combating corruption, safeguarding human rights, promoting justice and democratic governance, strengthening parliamentary and public institutions, fostering economic transformation and job creation, and improving basic service delivery and social protection. Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, emphasized that these objectives aim to address the pressing issues faced by ordinary Ugandans, such as the high cost of living, unemployment, and poor service delivery.

The opposition plans to leverage parliamentary oversight to ensure better governance and more efficient use of public resources. This includes stricter parliamentary control over public funds, independent auditing, and transparent reporting, with a focus on areas like the Presidency, public finance, local government initiatives, and infrastructure projects.

Furthermore, the opposition intends to champion the protection of constitutional rights, including freedoms of assembly and expression, the right to speedy trials, and humane treatment within the justice system. They also aim to introduce legislation designed to expand economic opportunities, particularly for the youth, through measures like agricultural commercialization, improved access to financing, and support for startups.

Key proposals include amendments to the Public Finance Management Act to bolster controls on supplementary and classified budgets. The opposition also plans to advocate for improvements in essential services like healthcare and education, proposing initiatives such as health insurance, school feeding programs, and better funding for local governments.

This agenda signals a commitment by the opposition to actively shape policy and hold the government accountable throughout the 12th Parliament, offering a framework for constructive engagement and alternative policy proposals.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)