Joseph Ssewungu, Betty Nambooze and Patrick Nsamba Oshabe have emerged as some of the National Unity Platform (NUP)’s most vocal MPs, regularly challenging government decisions and raising questions that extend beyond their constituencies.
The three opposition legislators are among a small group of NUP MPs whose contributions stood out during a review of parliamentary proceedings in May, June and July.
While some colleagues used the floor to question public spending, accountability, and government policy, others barely participated in plenary debates. And a substantial number did not speak at all.
An examination of the Hansard, Parliament’s official record of proceedings, found that 20 of NUP’s 48 MPs made no recorded contribution on the floor during the three-month period.
That is more than four in every 10 members of the party’s parliamentary caucus. The findings raise questions about how Uganda’s largest opposition party in Parliament uses one of its most important political platforms, especially when the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) commands an overwhelming numerical advantage.
But they also expose a broader issue: what should voters expect from an MP after sending them to Parliament? Is representation simply about attending sittings, responding to constituency problems and voting when required?
Or should legislators also be judged by how consistently they question government, influence debate and speak on matters affecting the country? The Hansard review cannot answer all those questions.
It measures contributions made during plenary proceedings, not the full range of parliamentary work. MPs also participate through committees, constituency engagements, legislative preparation and other responsibilities that may not be reflected in how often they speak on the floor.
THE MPS LEADING THE DEBATE
Ssewungu, the Kalungu West MP, leads the group of NUP legislators identified as the most active speakers during the period under review. Nsamba Oshabe, the Kassanda North MP, and Nambooze, who represents Mukono Municipality, follow.
All three have considerable parliamentary experience. Nambooze is the longest-serving of the group, having entered Parliament in 2009 after defeating the then Mukono North MP, Rev Peter Bakaluba Mukasa.
Ssewungu joined in 2011, while Nsamba Oshabe entered Parliament in 2016. Their prominence suggests that experience may play an important role in determining who takes the floor, although the review does not establish whether length of service directly causes greater participation.
Other NUP legislators who distinguished themselves through frequent contributions include Charles Tebandeke of Bbaale County, Betty Ethel Naluyima, the Wakiso Woman MP, and Hassan Kirumira of Katikamu South.
The review identifies these six MPs as particularly active, each speaking more than 10 times during the three months. Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition and MP for Nakawa West, and Paul Mwiru, the Opposition Chief Whip representing Jinja South Division East, also featured prominently.
Their leadership positions naturally require them to participate in parliamentary business more frequently than ordinary backbench MPs. That distinction is important when comparing legislators.
A party leader responsible for responding to government statements or coordinating opposition business does not have the same opportunities and obligations as an MP without a formal parliamentary leadership role.
Still, the review suggests that participation within NUP extends beyond its recognized leadership. Sheilah Amaniyo Draville, the Mukono Woman MP, Jamali Ayagalachi of Bukooli County, Andrew Kaluya Kiiza of Kigulu South, Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende and Robert Maseruka of Mukono South each spoke more than four times.
Their contributions placed them above colleagues who participated in only one, two, or three interventions. The findings show a parliamentary caucus in which a relatively small group accounts for much of the visible debate, while many others contribute less frequently.
THE SILENT BENCHES
At the other end of the review are 20 NUP MPs who, according to the Hansard review, made no recorded plenary contributions between May and July. The group includes both experienced legislators and newcomers.
Among the returning MPs identified are Timothy Batuwa Lusala of Jinja South Division West, Abubaker Kawalya of Rubaga North, Abdallah Kiwanuka of Mukono North, David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga of Busujju County, Brenda Nabukenya, the Luweero Woman MP, Denes Sekabira of Katikamu North, Robert Ssekitoleeko of Bamunanika County and Francis Zaake of Mityana Municipality.
Their inclusion is particularly notable because they had previously served in the 11th Parliament. Unlike first-time legislators, they had already experienced parliamentary procedures, debates and the demands of legislative representation.
The newcomers named in the review include Jimmy Kanaabi of Buikwe South, Ali Kasirye Nganda of Makindye East, Hakim Kizza Sawula of Bukoto South, Abedi Nasser Mudiobole of Iganga Municipality, Moses Musanje of Njeru Municipality, George Musisi of Kira Municipality, Hussein Muyonjo of Jinja North Division and John Odwori of Kagoma North County.
For first-term MPs, the opening months of Parliament can involve learning parliamentary procedures, understanding committee assignments and adjusting to the institution’s rules. But the review raises a legitimate question about how quickly new legislators should begin using the floor to represent the interests of their voters.
There is also an important limitation. The study covers only May, June and July. It does not establish whether the MPs concerned remained silent in August, September or October.
Nor does it establish whether they attended sittings, submitted questions, participated in committee proceedings or carried out other parliamentary duties during the period. Describing them as silent in plenary is therefore supported by the review. Describing them as entirely inactive would require considerably more evidence.
WHAT ARE MPS TALKING ABOUT?
Speaking frequently is one measure of parliamentary participation. What an MP says is another. The review found that many NUP legislators who spoke only once or a few times concentrated on problems affecting their constituencies.
Fortunate Rose Nantongo, the Kyotera Woman MP, used her recorded intervention to complain about dust along the Kyotera–Mutukula road, which was under construction.
Teddy Nambooze, the Mpigi Woman MP, raised concerns about the absence of a police patrol vehicle at Buwama Police Station after the previous vehicle was involved in an accident. Eugenia Nassolo of Lubaga South highlighted difficulties accessing proper healthcare and the poor condition of the road at Natete.
These interventions may seem local, but they affect services that directly shape people’s lives. A dusty road can disrupt businesses and daily travel. The absence of a police patrol vehicle can limit officers’ ability to respond to emergencies.
Raising such matters is an established part of parliamentary representation, including during discussions on matters of national importance.
BEYOND CONSTITUENCY POLITICS
The review identifies eight NUP MPs whose contributions stood out for addressing matters with broader national implications. They are Ssewungu, Nambooze, Nsamba Oshabe, Kirumira, Mwiru, Ssenyonyi, Amaniyo and Tebandeke.
Nambooze’s interventions provide some of the clearest examples. During one debate, she used Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja’s approval to raise the question of John Bosco Kibalama’s whereabouts.
“I stand here first of all to congratulate Hon. Nabbanja, who has just been approved by this House. I hope she will use this time to tell us where John Bosco Kibalama is,” Nambooze said.
In another contribution, she questioned the reported diversion of $14 million from Bank of Uganda funds intended for servicing loans.
“The reports show that His Excellency the President directed the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, to account for the diverted money, specifically $6 million that was earmarked for the World Bank and $8 million earmarked for the African Development Bank, respectively,” she said.
The allegations she cited concern public financial accountability and require examination of the underlying records and official responses. Her intervention nevertheless illustrates Parliament’s oversight function: raising questions about government conduct and demanding explanations in a public forum.
Other MPs used the floor to pursue issues connected to their areas of responsibility or particular interests. David Sserukenya of MakindyeSsabagabo repeatedly raised concerns about the facilitation of medical interns.
Blasio Zambali Mukasa concentrated on sports-related matters, an area associated with his responsibilities as a shadow minister. Both subjects extend beyond individual constituencies.
A SMALL OPPOSITION FACING A LARGE MAJORITY
NUP enters these debates from a position of significant numerical disadvantage.