President Yoweri Museveni has called on Parliament to consider a bold move allowing MPs to be removed from office before their term ends if they fail to deliver on campaign promises.
He made the statement on Monday during his second campaign rally in Mpigi District, responding to residents’ frustrations over poor service delivery.
“I suggest and I don’t know if Parliament can do it that if an MP is not working for the people who elected them, they should be removed even before their term ends. That law should be made,” Museveni said.
The President also pointed fingers at voters, suggesting that electing opposition leaders contributes to the lack of services. “If you do not get services, you are partly to blame for voting opposition leaders. These leaders do not raise your problems in Parliament,” he noted.
Article 79 of the Constitution of Uganda clearly spells out the functions of parliament to wit; legislation, oversight and budget approval.
According to the parliamentary records, by July 2024, the 11th parliament had passed 62 bills, with many lacking public scrutiny and analyses. This shows that a worrying number of legislators are mere seat- fillers and MPs by name, not by contribution.
Addressing medicine shortages and delays in Parish Development Model (PDM) funds, Museveni said corruption remains a major obstacle. “Corruption is not new; even during colonial times, some leaders abused authority. That is why we returned power to the people through elected leaders from LC1 to Parliament. Government mobilizes and allocates resources, but protecting them requires accountable leadership,” he added.
He urged residents to back the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to ensure their needs are met. “Vote for the NRM so that your problems can be addressed,” he said.
If the law is passed, it could shake up Ugandan politics by holding MPs directly accountable for their performance and potentially reshaping how legislators serve their constituents.
Additional reporting by Ugbulletin.
