The Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has announced that the Opposition will boycott the upcoming upcountry parliamentary sittings, citing excessive expenditure. The Opposition says sessions, scheduled to start in Gulu, northern Uganda, later this month, will cost Uganda’s Shs20bn
At a press conference conducted at parliament, Ssenyonyi expressed shock, that each session in the four regions has been allocated unjustifiable Shs5 billion, leaving the opposition with no choice but to boycott.
He emphasized that the opposition was left in the dark in the planning process right from inception due to rare meetings of the parliamentary commission.
He urged opposition MPs to reconsider accepting allowances for attending the sessions and advised that they should return it the moment it drops on their accounts.
Ssenyonyi suggests that parliament could better serve citizens from Kampala by passing pro-people resolutions other than posturing with upcountry sittings in a desperate attempt to clear the dented parliament image.
Parliamentary Spokesperson Chris Obore countered that no extra funds to be incurred outside the approved budget of parliament thus no burden will be put on taxpayers.
He encouraged all MPs to participate, emphasizing that the meetings would benefit the country. Obore also criticized the opposition for rejecting it.
