KAMPALA
Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has proposed the formation of a reconciliation committee comprising members of both the government and the opposition to address growing political tensions and violence targeting legislators at colleagues' funerals.
Tayebwa made the proposal during Tuesday's plenary sitting, expressing concern that political divisions had reached a point where Members of Parliament could not safely attend the burials of fellow lawmakers.
"If we are so divided to the extent that we cannot bury each other, where are we going as a nation?" Tayebwa asked.
MPs Chased Away from Burials
The proposal follows a recent incident at the burial of former Busiro South MP Charles Matovu, where Kibuku County MP Herbert Tom Kinobere (NRM) was chased away by angry mourners.
The current Busiro South MP, Kenan Opio, reportedly stayed away from the burial out of concern for his safety.
Tayebwa proposed that the Government Chief Whip and the Opposition Chief Whip each appoint a five-member team to engage in dialogue and explore ways of easing tensions among MPs and their supporters.
"It can start with us, honorable colleagues. We can show the country that we can talk together, we can reconcile together, [and] we can love each other, despite what goes on politically," he said.
He added that MPs should be able to stand with colleagues during bereavement without suspicion or fear of attack over political affiliations.
"I need to find it safe to stand with a colleague. And I need a colleague also to find it safe to associate with me because I'm a colleague in the House," Tayebwa noted.
Kinobere's Vehicle Stoned
State Minister for Public Service Lydia Wanyoto told Parliament that MPs had faced increasing hostility while attending burials, adding that Kinobere's vehicle was stoned and vandalized during the incident at Matovu's burial.
She said MPs who publicly express condolences are sometimes misunderstood, insulted, and falsely accused of celebrating the deaths of their colleagues.
Ministers Back Reconciliation
Minister of Health Dr. Chris Baryomunsi urged MPs to rise above political differences, emphasizing that their responsibilities as national leaders must take precedence over partisan affiliations.
"Me being in NRM and you being in the opposition party should not make us enemies," Baryomunsi said.
Minister for ICT and National Guidance Kasule Lumumba also backed the proposal, arguing that it would help the country heal from political friction persisting since the January elections.
"We need to open a new page and move together as human beings," Lumumba said, adding that current leaders bear the responsibility to spearhead reconciliation.
Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze suggested that discussions on national dialogue should extend beyond Parliament. She argued that chasing people away from burials contradicts Ugandan cultural values, which emphasize respect for the dead and solidarity with bereaved families.
"It is not within our culture that a person dies and others celebrate. It is also not within our culture that one goes for [a] burial and he is chased," Nambooze said.
