By The Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of Commonwealth Parliaments (CSCOP), which is now being held in Uganda, has been rocked by controversy today. Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi claims that security guards physically prevented her from entering.
Speakers of national parliaments from the Commonwealth’s member states assemble at the Conference, which President Museveni officially opened earlier in the day to talk about democratic governance and parliamentary procedures. But a cloud has been placed over the tournament by the absence of a well-known opponent.
National Unity Platform (NUP) member Nkunyingi claimed on social media that he was “chased away by SFC soldiers” at the conference entrance. He added that his name was on a “handwritten list” of people who were not allowed to attend, along with the names of other opposition MPs.
“This is a calculated and blatant attempt to silence dissenting voices,” Mr. Nkunyingi stated. “I was formally invited by the Clerk to Parliament, yet I was detained and denied access for no apparent reason.”
His assertions are consistent with previous accounts from Mr. Lutamagizi, a fellow NUP MP, who also claims that security personnel prevented him from entering. This has raised concerns about the Ugandan government’s dedication to democratic ideals and open communication, especially in light of an international conference that is supporting parliamentary accountability.
Although Nkunyingi’s charges have not yet been officially addressed by Ugandan authorities, the incident has garnered concern from the Commonwealth community. There are worries that the CSCOP’s capacity to serve as a forum for inclusive discourse may be undermined, perhaps having a chilling effect on democratic participation.
It remains to be seen how things develop, including whether more details will clarify the grounds for Nkunyingi’s exclusion and whether action will be made to allay the concerns expressed. But there’s no denying that the episode has sparked a great deal of controversy and calls for responsibility and transparency inside the Ugandan government as well as the larger Commonwealth community.
