The upcoming session in Gulu district, scheduled for August 28, 2024, has sparked mixed reactions from both the public and political leaders, highlighting a growing divide in how these sessions are perceived.

Some view them as a vital opportunity for direct engagement with legislators, while others, like the Parliament’s Leader of Opposition in the Museveni Government Joel Ssenyonyi, criticize the initiative as an ineffective and costly endeavour.

Ssenyonyi has been particularly outspoken, labeling the regional sittings as a misuse of public funds and calling on MPs to boycott the events. He argues that the sessions will not address the country’s most urgent issues and accuses the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, of orchestrating a wasteful exercise.

"These sessions are nothing more than a facade, an excuse to squander taxpayers’ money," Ssenyonyi stated, urging his fellow parliamentarians to reconsider their participation.

In contrast, Bugiri Municipality MP and Justice Forum (JEMA) Party President Asuman Basalirwa has taken a firm stance in support of the sessions.

Dismissing Ssenyonyi’s concerns as mere noise, Basalirwa emphasized that the expenses have been carefully managed by Parliament, with provisions made for transportation and logistics. "This is not about cost; it’s about connecting with the people we serve," Basalirwa explained, expressing his commitment to attending the Gulu session despite the growing controversy.

As the date approaches, the mixed reactions to the regional parliamentary sessions reflect broader uncertainties in Uganda’s political climate, leaving the public divided on whether these initiatives will bring meaningful change or deepen existing divides.

A collage featuring Bugiri Municipality MP and Justice Forum (JEMA) Party President Asuman Basalirwa alongside Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Ugandan Parliament.