Written By |
Ssenyonyi dismissed Museveni’s assertions that the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has selectively given seedlings to Opposition MPs (Photo: LOP Press)
Search
By Our Reporter
PARLIAMENT — Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has called on President Yoweri Museveni to substantiate his recent claims that coffee seedlings are only distributed to Opposition MPs, saying the President’s failure to provide evidence could foster a harmful culture of propaganda in leadership. Speaking to journalists at Parliament, Ssenyonyi urged Ugandans to continue growing coffee, which he emphasized would serve the country for generations. “We encourage the people of Uganda to keep growing coffee,” he said. “General Museveni may think he has had his day. No. Coffee is going to be here much longer than him. It remains for generations.”
Ssenyonyi dismissed Museveni’s assertions that the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA) has selectively given seedlings to Opposition MPs, arguing that if the claims were true, it would also implicate National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs who have backed UCDA. “Are they also in Opposition?” he questioned. “Just because you are occupying State House, it doesn’t give you the window to say whatever you want to say without backing it up.”
Turning to recent events in Parliament, Ssenyonyi condemned the violence and harassment surrounding the debate over the Coffee Bill, which saw MPs, journalists, and other attendees subjected to intimidation. He voiced concerns over Speaker Anita Among’s handling of security in the Chambers, where journalists were reportedly expelled, lights were turned off, and network connectivity was cut.
“This is despicable, it is unacceptable,” Ssenyonyi remarked. He revealed that, upon Parliament’s return from recess, the Opposition Caucus intends to demand an investigation into the identities of those who reportedly attacked MPs in the Chambers. Ssenyonyi also criticized the Speaker’s directive to expunge his remarks from the official Parliamentary record. “If she says I was wrong to claim it was security operatives, then she should tell us who raided Parliament,” he said.
Ssenyonyi further questioned the suspension of 12 Opposition MPs involved in last week’s protests in Parliament, claiming that the suspensions were discriminatory. “If the reason for suspension was heckling, this was happening on both sides of the House,” he argued. “What did these MPs do that others didn’t?”
He added that while the Speaker has authority to suspend MPs, this power should be exercised fairly and within the law. “We want to know what justifies this suspension,” he said.
Torch Media Africa
