By The Binocular Reporter
Kampala, Uganda – The National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s leading opposition party, has ordered its Members of Parliament to boycott the upcoming East African Inter-Parliamentary Games in December 2024, citing wastage of resources.
The games, hosted by Kenya, aim to enhance collaboration and bonding among EAC countries’ national legislatures and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Over 700 MPs and parliamentary staff from EAC countries are expected to participate.
However, NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu directed Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi to instruct NUP MPs to boycott the event, citing excessive spending.
Parliament is reportedly set to spend around 8 billion Ugandan shillings to facilitate participants.
A source from NUP headquarters revealed that this decision aligns with the party’s earlier boycott of the Parliamentary regional sitting in Gulu last month, also due to concerns over wastage of taxpayer money.
“The opposition must be consistent in its decisions,” the source said. “We should divert funds to urgent issues, such as supporting medical interns and Kiteezi landfill victims.”
The boycott affects over 100 sportsmen and women, including MPs and staff, who were set to participate in various sporting disciplines.
Participants were entitled to substantial per diems, with ordinary MPs receiving Ugx 2,736,000 per night and the Leader of the Opposition earning Ugx 3,306,500 per night.
