Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) staged a walkout on Tuesday in protest against what they described as an “illegal and rushed process” to push through the Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill, 2025.
Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi criticized both the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and the Defence and Internal Affairs Committee, accusing them of handling the bill in a hurried and opaque manner.
“This bill carries significant implications for national security and the political landscape. It should not be passed without broad-based stakeholder consultations,” Ssenyonyi told the House, calling for inclusive and deliberate scrutiny of the legislation.
Despite the protest, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and Legal Committee Chairperson Stephen B. Mugabi defended the process. They cited Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, which mandate that all bills be processed within 45 days, as justification for the pace.
While most opposition MPs exited the chamber, a few — including Hon. Abdu Katuntu (Independent), Hon. Jimmy Lwanga (NUP), and Hon. Jonathan Odur (UPC) — remained in the House during the session.
MP Paul Luttamaguzi (Nakaseke South) condemned what he described as “state intimidation” and “militarization” of the legislative process.
“We won’t be intimidated by the state. This bill is being driven by two people: General Museveni and his son. The rest of the UPDF and police have no stake in it,” Luttamaguzi said.
He further criticized the deployment of armed forces around Parliament as the bill advanced toward its second and third readings.
“How can you legislate under deployment? The presence of armed personnel suggests something is being concealed. MPs should legislate freely and in the people’s interest — not under duress,” he added.
Visible security deployments on roads surrounding Parliament have fueled concerns from civil society organizations and political analysts.
Tolit Atiya, a security analyst, warned that the bill is being rushed through without sufficient scrutiny.
“It’s unfortunate that many Ugandans don’t realize that governments, like individuals, can be wrong. In this case, the state is wrong, but Parliament is being used to rubber-stamp the mistake,” he argued.
The UPDF Amendment Bill, 2025, has sparked significant public and political debate. Critics argue that its proposed changes could centralize military and political power, intensifying concerns about succession planning and the increasing role of the army in national governance.
