Do not abuse the legislature

The festive season has been preoccupied by news and reactions in regard to the death of Butalejja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda.

Police actions and efforts have been more on arresting MPs who made various statements on what caused her death and those who were involved in conducting her autopsy and even volunteered certain information to the public.

This defilement of the legislative arm of government is similar to the attack on the temple of justice in 2006 when the black mamba stormed the court and re- arrested suspects who had seconds earlier been released on bail.

For Uganda, the actions and statements made after Nebanda’s death from both the Executive and Legislature, speak volumes about the principles and practices of separation of powers.

All this is happening when a number of positions are taken outside Parliament in the NRM Caucus but have overbearing effects on the decisions taken in Parliament. One wonders if the caucus is acting as the fourth arm of government.

Sophie Kyagulanyi,
soamiz@gmail.com