The front bench was uncharacteristically empty today, a parliamentary sitting dedicated to paying tribute to the late MP Muhammad Ssegirinya. The front seats, typically reserved for ministers, were instead occupied by three NRM MPs.
The motion to pay tribute to Ssegirinya was moved by Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu, rather than a government representative.
Bugiri County MP Asuman Basalirwa questioned the motives behind the government’s absence, asking, “Why did the government fail to move the motion?”
Speaker Anita Among responded, “All members were informed, and it’s not right to speculate about the absence of the ministers.”
The boycott was briefly interrupted by the arrival of Third Deputy Prime Minister Lukia Nakadama, but only after the motion had already been moved.
The reasons behind the ministers’ boycott remain unclear, but their absence was deeply felt during the tribute to Ssegirinya.
