The Battle for Uganda’s Soul: When Parliament Becomes a Theater

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
The recent coffee bill drama shows how this institution, meant to serve 45 million Ugandans, often bows to executive pressure.This matters
because every Ugandan farmer, trader, and citizen depends on fair representation
all the remote controls
President Museveni, who has ruled since 1986, effectively controls what happens in this room.The coffee bill story perfectly captures this
power dynamic
authority under government control, chaos erupted
Theater
(Photo Internet reproduction)Most Ugandans watched helplessly as their representatives were thrown out of Parliament
The ruling party then passed the bill without debate
During the early 1960s, it functioned as a real debating chamber
Leaders like Benedicto Kiwanuka and Milton Obote engaged in genuine policy discussions.That golden age of parliamentary democracy proved
shortlived
regardless of public opinion
The coffee bill joins a long list of controversial laws passed without meaningful debate.Money tells part of the story
Each member of Parliament receives substantial allowances and benefits from the government
This creates a powerful incentive to stay loyal to the ruling party rather than represent constituent interests.The consequences reach far
government maintains a facade of democracy while centralizing power
They point to regular elections and parliamentary sessions as proof of democratic function.Real change would require more than just new
faces in Parliament
Uganda needs reformed institutions that truly separate powers
Until then, Parliament risks remaining a puppet theater where the executive pulls all strings.The coffee bill saga shows why this matters
representatives.As coffee farmers return to their fields and traders to their shops, they wonder if their Parliament will ever truly speak
for them.