A significant section of Uganda’s opposition lawmakers today stayed away from President Yoweri Museveni’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds over renewed concerns over alleged enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and the continued detention of opposition supporters.
The boycott left large sections of the opposition seating area conspicuously empty as President Museveni delivered his constitutionally mandated address outlining the government’s priorities and performance.
Several seats designated for opposition legislators were reportedly occupied by members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), underscoring the political symbolism of the absence.
The protest appeared to be led by members of the opposition, particularly those affiliated with the National Unity Platform, largest opposition party in Parliament.
In the 12th Parliament, NUP remains the dominant opposition force with some 46 MP, followed by legislators from the Forum for Democratic Change, Uganda People’s Congress, Democratic Party, and a number of independents aligned with the opposition.
Neither Opposition leader Joel Ssenyonyi, nor NUP the party issued a statement explaining the boycott before the address.
The boycott highlights the widening gulf between the government and opposition parties on issues of governance, human rights, and political freedoms.
