Opposition MPs stage walkout over UPDF Amendment Bill, citing lack of inclusivity

Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) dramatically walked out of parliamentary proceedings today, effectively paralyzing the debate on the controversial Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (Amendment) Bill, 2025. The MPs argued that the bill, which seeks to amend the existing UPDF Act, was being rushed through Parliament without adequate public consultation and proper scrutiny.

The walkout occurred during the 34th Sitting of the 3rd Meeting of the 4th Session of the 11th Parliament. As the House prepared to deliberate on both the UPDF Amendment Bill and the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2025, opposition MPs vacated their seats, leaving the government side of the chamber noticeably empty.

Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, lambasted the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, and the Committee on Defence and Internal Affairs, for what he called a “sham process.” He asserted that the committees had processed the UPDF Amendment Bill too hastily, denying Ugandans a meaningful opportunity to contribute their input.

“My colleagues and I are hard pressed to participate in this process,” Ssenyonyi stated, addressing the Speaker. “We shall leave you here to participate in it. Process your Bill pretending that you are engaging the input of Ugandans and yet not.” He emphasized that the rushed process was “pretentious” and undermined the spirit of consultative lawmaking.

However, MP Stephen Bakka Mugabi, who chairs the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, defended the process, citing the Rules of Procedure which permit the processing of Bills within 45 days. He seemingly implied the timeframe was adequate for the bill.

Wilson Kajwengye, MP for Nyabushozi County and Chairperson of the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee, presented a report arguing for the trial of civilians by military courts only in “exceptional circumstances,” where a fair trial is guaranteed.

Denis Sekabira, MP for Katikamu North, echoed concerns about the fairness of military courts, telling NBS Television, “We are saying that those who are going to be appointed as judges lack the necessary expertise. A court must be impartial, but in the army, you operate under orders, you cannot have the independence required to dispense justice.” He further argued that the bill violated the doctrine of separation of powers, with the Executive attempting to grant the military authority to try civilians through parliamentary approval.

Despite the mass walkout, a few opposition MPs, including Hon. Abdu Katuntu (Independent), Jimmy Lwanga (NUP), and Jonathan Odur (UPC), remained in the chamber.

Adding to the charged atmosphere, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, MP for Kiira Municipality, expressed concerns about security within Parliament, alleging the presence of individuals resembling members of the Special Forces Command (SFC). He requested assurances from the Speaker that MPs would be protected from potential harm, referencing a past incident where military personnel reportedly assaulted MPs during a debate on the Coffee Bill. “This morning, I came here after mobilizing the people of Kira to witness the proceedings. However, I found the entire Parliament barricaded by armed police officers,” Nganda stated.

“The atmosphere under which we conduct business here must be free. When we were considering the amendment of the Coffee Bill, military personnel raided Parliament, beat up MPs, and arrested others,” he recounted.

While the UPDF Amendment Bill debate was effectively stalled by the walkout, the Political Parties and Organisations (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Nakut Faith Loru Chuna, MP for Napak district, was ultimately passed. Earlier, MP Jona Odur presented a Minority Report deeming the bill unconstitutional, and MP Jimmy Akena criticized it as “diabolical” and lacking stakeholder consultation.