By Mukembo Wilfred
The Leader of Opposition in parliament, Rt. Hon. Mathias Mpuuga has finally fired back at the Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robina Nabbanja over a directive stopping him from inspecting government facilities especially hospitals.
While addressing a press conference on the state of social services in the country on Friday morning Hon. Mpuuga said he does not need the approval or directive of the Prime Minister to carry out his oversight work.
“I don’t need her approval or directive to do anything. She must really try to concentrate. In fact her lack of concentration led her into Iron sheets ‘Mabati’ scandal. People around her can assist her to understand the extent of her work so that they do not scatter her into going to the kind of things that are out of touch and docket,” said Hon. Mpuuga.
According to Mpuuga, Prime Minister Nabbanja is struggling for relevance and thus she can only sympathize with her.
“Maybe if she has time, she can come along with me and learn a few things on how to work and probably learn how governments can work. Maybe it was an admission on her part on the kind of heavy lifting on her shoulders and I can sympathize. She is a humble woman and I have an idea of what she knows and what she can do. But I can only say that I am sympathetic,” he added.
The LOP noted that he is to continue with his oversight duties in different parts of the country including the Prime Minister’s constituency in Kakumiro.
“I am the LOP, I speak on behalf of 5million people that voted the opposition in this countr so I don’t need anybody’s permission to do anything and I know the realm, the breadth and width of my work, my powers and privileges but I am sympathetic to her, it is not easy to be relevant.” LOP Mpuuga emphasized.
Article 82A of the Constitution empowers the Office of the Leader of Opposition to keep government in check and hold it accountable. The same mandate is also highlighted by Section 6E of the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Act, 2006.
