The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has challenged the newly appointed leadership to deliver tangible results for ordinary Ugandans. Ssenyonyi’s remarks followed the endorsement of Jessica Alupo and Robinah Nabbanja as Vice President and Prime Minister, respectively, by Parliament on Thursday.
Both Alupo and Nabbanja pledged commitment to President Yoweri Museveni’s vision of economic transformation and wealth creation in their maiden speeches after approval. But Ssenyonyi warned that Parliament would intensify pressure on the government over corruption, poor public services, and alleged injustices.
“Our duty is to keep government in check,” Ssenyonyi said shortly after Parliament approved the two leaders. “As we keep government in check, it is for the good of all of us.”
The opposition leader said Ugandans continue to struggle with poor roads, underfunded hospitals, corruption, and delayed justice despite years of government promises on socio-economic transformation.
“One of these days, members will raise matters of national importance. They’ll tell you about poor roads in their areas. They’ll tell you about government officials stealing money that is supposed to trickle down to their people. They’ll tell you about bad hospitals,” he said.
Ssenyonyi particularly challenged the government on accountability and human rights, saying the opposition would continue demanding action over alleged political prisoners who have spent years in detention without trial. “People are rotting in jail for five, six, seven years, and they have not had their day in court. That is wrong,” he said.
Alupo called for unity and collective focus on expanding Uganda’s economy to USD 500 billion by 2040 while ensuring ordinary citizens benefit from national growth. “We must envisage a Uganda with a GDP of US dollars 500 billion, but connect all the grassroots masses whom we are leading to this economy,” Alupo told Parliament.
The Vice President echoed President Museveni’s economic empowerment message, urging Members of Parliament to strengthen oversight of government wealth creation programs in villages, parishes, and districts across the country.
She emphasized financial inclusion and called on leaders to help move millions of Ugandans currently outside the money economy into productive economic activity.
Prime Minister Nabbanja also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing the National Development Plan IV and the NRM manifesto through investments in agro-industrialization, tourism, oil and gas, infrastructure, and science and technology.
“The priorities of the NRM government are very clear,” Nabbanja said. “They are aimed at wealth creation, improving household incomes, and expanding our economy to 500 billion US dollars by the year 2040.” She promised stronger coordination between Parliament and the Executive, including ensuring ministers regularly attend Parliament and respond to issues raised by legislators.
But even as government leaders emphasized economic growth and service delivery, Ssenyonyi challenged Parliament itself to uphold transparency and accountability. He welcomed Speaker of Parliament’s pledge to fight corruption and open Parliament to the media, saying the opposition would support efforts to ensure Parliament remains independent and accessible.
“You promised a corruption-free Parliament. That excited me,” Ssenyonyi said while addressing the Speaker. “Kindly actualize the remarks that you made.”
The opposition leader also criticized what he described as exclusionary practices in the previous Parliament, revealing that despite being legally entitled to sit on the Parliamentary Commission as Leader of Opposition, he did not attend a single meeting during his two-and-a-half-year tenure in the 11th Parliament. “These things have got to change. Let’s observe the law. Let’s do right as is expected,” he said-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
