Review of the Constitution, says the Leader of Opposition in parliament

Mpuuga offered this opinion during the Opposition’s response to the State of the Nation address during plenary session. A plenary session or plenum is a session of parliament which all members of all parties attend.

Mpuuga, the the Nyendo-Mukungwe division Member of Parliament and National Unity Platform Deputy President for the central region, was presenting a paper on gender balance and fair representation of the marginalised groups as he opined about constitutional review.

He said Ugandans had reached a stage where they required an honest deliberation on the level of representation in the country.

Mpuuga added that although it is a cardinal constitutional obligation to ensure balanced and fair representation of the marginalised and special interest groups, there’s overrepresentation and reference to some ‘special groups’ as listening posts.

“To the contrary, some have been proud to pronounce themselves as listening posts; they are voted to merely listen and not to speak. No wonder the public is agitated by the administrative costs incurred for mere listening amidst a troubled economy,” Mpuuga said, alluding to the ten army representatives of Uganda People’s Defence Forces who president Museveni once described as listening posts.

Mpuuga said it was time to review this arrangement which he termed as misplaced and without value to the currency of democracy and fair representation.

He noted that some elements in society have argued that representation of special interest groups is an affirmative intervention on behalf of marginalised and minority groups which should be circumscribed by time or have the years of representation capped.

Also, he added, that some sections of society argue that constituency members of parliament by their sex, age, and professional trade can represent the interests of women, youth, elderly and workers.

“Given the fact that the constitution has been operating for 26 years since its promulgation on 22nd September 1995, it is long overdue for a review. Aware that we are in a multiparty dispensation when constituting a Constitutional Review Commission, consideration should also be taken to appoint at least a representative from each of the political parties represented in Parliament.” Mpuuga said.

The newly appointed Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, agreed with the need for a constitutional review.