Speaker blasts Opposition MPs over boycott, to take action

The Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon Anitah Annet Among has threatened to expel Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) who have continued to boycott plenary sittings due to unresolved concerns on human rights violations.

MPs are not supposed to miss 15 consecutive sittings without seeking permission from the Speaker’s office for their absentia.

“On that note therefore, I am going to evoke the rule on 15 sittings and I want you MPs to come to the House, don’t be deceived that you can walk out. I will count 15 sittings,” asserted the Speaker.

Yesterday during a press conference, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Hon Mathias Mpuuga announced that the opposition will stay away from plenary sittings until Government explains the alleged killings and human rights violations.

Article (83) of the Constitution stipulates that a Member of Parliament may lose his/her seat in any of the following instances;

On resignation in writing to the Speaker;

If he or she subsequently ceases to qualify to be a Member of Parliament;

If he or she is absent from 15 sittings without permission of the Speaker;

If he or she is found guilty of violation of the Leadership Code of Conduct;

If he or she joins another party or leaves the party and decides to remain an Independent member;

If a member was elected as an independent and joins a party; or

On appointment as a public officer.

Among had no kind words for the Opposition MPs saying their sustained boycott is improper likening it to taking issues to the streets instead of dialoguing within Parliament to find a clear position.

“Their behaviour is against the spirit of cohesion and unity that is being cultivated in the 11th Parliament,” she said.

“You don’t fight when you are out, you fight when you are inside here. Just like in a home, when you pick a fight with a woman, you do not run away be there, stay there so that we see who is who. So it isn’t good for us to go out and start lamenting from out, let us be here, solve our people’s problems getting out of this House isn’t a solution,” she explained.

On the light side, the Speaker said she is in good health hence there was no need for her to take a maternity leave yet she has to serve the nation.