The opposition members of parliament have finally returned to parliament sittings after a month-long boycott to receive government response on concerns of human rights violations and alleged missing persons. The government has also presented a statement dismissing alleged political persecution as a deliberate smear campaign used by opposition supporters to secure opportunities abroad.
Opposition legislators started their day with the caucus meeting in the boardroom of the leader of the opposition which stretched beyond lunchtime.
As the house sitting started a few minutes past 2 pm, they started pouring into the chambers where they have been missing for over a month, The Kira Municipality legislator Ibrahim Semujju Nganda straight away requested the speaker to amend the order paper to prioritize the statement which was number six on the list.
However, the minister in charge was nowhere to be seen when the statement forced the opposition to move a motion seeking suspension of the house for 15 minutes. But it flopped in a vote by the house.
The government later presented the long-awaited statement through the minister of state for internal affairs Gen David Muhoozi, dismissing some opposition claims of human rights violations as well-orchestrated campaigns of aiding people who seek to go abroad in search of livelihood opportunities
The government statement was not conclusive on missing persons but blamed the issue on lack of cooperation from relatives of the said victims who are hesitant to reach out to security agencies with more details.
On accountability for lives lost during the November 2020 riots, the government says that some victims perished in motor accidents caused by rioters.
However, the opposition asked for more time to digest the government statement and bounce back with the retort next week.
Meanwhile, some opposition legislators have dismissed the government response, saying it lacks substantial answers to questions of human rights concerns at hand.
The opposition says their boycott is still up until Tuesday when they plan to resume normal business.
