A heated session of Parliament descended into chaos today as opposition Members of Parliament staged a dramatic walkout, protesting what they described as a flawed and undemocratic process surrounding the UPDF Amendment Bill 2025.
Led by the Leader of the Opposition,Joel Ssenyonyi, the MPs refused to participate in the debate, accusing the responsible committee of denying Ugandans a meaningful opportunity to make public submissions on the proposed changes to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces Act.
Clashes erupted between the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of Government Business, Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja, over what the opposition called “speedy and selective consultations.”
The opposition alleges that key stakeholders, including the National Unity Platform (NUP), were excluded from the consultation process.
“You invite people and then say the bill will be passed as is? That’s not consultation, that’s pretense,” the Leader Of Opposition said, drawing murmurs of agreement from his colleagues before they exited the chamber.
The bill, which seeks to introduce sweeping changes to the governance and structure of the UPDF, has drawn criticism from civil society and political observers, many of whom argue that public engagement has been superficial at best.
In a surprising twist, Masaka City Woman MP Juliet Kakande of the NUP took aim not at the government, but at fellow opposition members.
“We are here to represent the people, not to put on a show,” she said, remaining behind even as the rest of her colleagues walked out.
Opposition MPs have vowed a legal challenge against the controversial UPDF Bill, expected to pass today.