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Forget the Bite, Has Parliament Lost Even Its Bark?

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Forget the Bite, Has Parliament Lost Even Its Bark?
Parliament

Once it bit chunks of flesh, then it lost the bit but mustered the art of barking. And now it can hardly bark - it whimpers. So can Parliament rediscover its power and authority, or will it remain a toothless watchdog, forever sidelined by the executive? Only time will tell.

In recent weeks, a wave of frustration and disillusionment has washed over Uganda’s parliamentary corridors as critics argue that the institution has lost its power, relevance, and sanctity.

For many political analysts and democracy scholars, the once-strong pillar of the nation’s democracy has now become a shadow of its former self.

Is Parliament still serving its constitutional role, or has it been reduced to a mere symbol, existing only in the framework of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution?

The most recent controversy to bring Parliament’s efficacy into question occurred when lawmakers were met with humiliation by the executive branch.

The leadership of Parliament attempted to summon the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to respond to questions about his public comments.

Rather than face the legislature with the respect due, Kainerugaba responded with a barrage of insults, undermining the institution’s authority in the eyes of many citizens.

This incident has sparked a renewed debate about the erosion of parliamentary power.

Article 90 of the Ugandan Constitution outlines the functions of Parliament, including the authority to summon witnesses, enforce attendance, and compel the production of documents—powers designed to ensure that the legislature can act as a robust check on the executive.

However, recent events - including the usual "I say shut up" orders - suggest that these powers are increasingly being undermined or ignored.

Last week’s episode with General Muhoozi is just one example in a broader pattern where executive overreach has curtailed parliamentary autonomy.

In 2024, Parliament was forced to reverse re-allocations made in the national budget, another instance in which the legislature was seen to bow to executive pressure.

Similarly, Minister of State for Housing, Persis Namuganza, was censured, but the executive's disregard for parliamentary will has only intensified.

Political scholars have weighed in on the growing power imbalance between the branches of government.

Wandera Ogalo, a noted democracy scholar, believes that the deterioration of Parliament’s strength stems from its shift away from individual merit to political patronage.

"Parliament has moved away from individual merit, and this has weakened the institution," Ogalo argues. "When MPs depend on the President to win elections, how can they assert themselves when it matters most?"

Yusuf Sserunkuuma, another political commentator, echoed this sentiment.

"We only have one institution working in this country, and that’s the President. Parliament has been bought and cheapened. How can MPs stand up for their independence in such a system?"

One outspoken voice within Parliament, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the Member of Parliament for Kira Municipality, has voiced his frustration with the current state of the legislature.

"We need to run a campaign like Ssemakadde did for the Uganda Law Society and save our institutions from capture by the first family," Ssemujju says, referencing the 2019 campaign that successfully challenged the dominance of the executive in Uganda’s legal system.

Historically, Parliament has at times demonstrated the political will to assert itself against executive interference. In the 6th Parliament, two ministers—Sam Kuteesa and Jim Muhwezi—were successfully censured and removed from office following scandals.

Similarly, during the 10th Parliament, the First Lady and Minister for Education, Mrs Janet Museveni, was summoned to appear before Parliament, a move that reflected a more assertive and independent legislature.

However, the current parliament seems to be reluctant to take such bold actions. Political analysts argue that the combination of political patronage, a weakened opposition, and increasing executive dominance has led to a legislature that is less willing to challenge the status quo.

The question remains: What has caused Parliament to become so passive? Scholars like Ogalo suggest that the weakening of individual MPs' influence, as they rely more on the executive for political survival, has eroded Parliament’s authority.

"MPs are no longer independent," Ogalo explains. "They rely on the President for funding and for votes, so it’s hard for them to stand up against his policies."

Ssemujju, speaking candidly, points to the shift from a parliamentary to a presidential system of governance.

"Government entities have been substituted by individuals in government," he says. "This has eroded the very fabric of our democratic institutions."

Many are now asking whether Parliament will find the resolve to fight back and reclaim its authority or if it will continue to cede its role to the executive.

The question of whether MPs can assert their independence and check the powers of the executive has never been more urgent.

In light of these developments, some MPs and democracy advocates are calling for a revival of institutional independence.

Ogalo, who played a role in drafting the 1995 Constitution, argues that the framework for separation of powers is still intact, but Parliament has failed to assert its role.

"The Constitution is clear on separation of powers, but Parliament has allowed itself to be undermined," he says. "The question is, how do we return to a system where each branch can effectively check the other?"

As the country looks toward the future, the integrity and strength of Uganda's parliamentary system are at a crossroads.

Once it bit chunks of flesh, then it lost the bit but mustered the art of barking. And now it can hardly bark - it whimpers. So can Parliament rediscover its power and authority, or will it remain a toothless watchdog, forever sidelined by the executive? Only time will tell.

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