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For decades, Uganda’s parliament has had a reputation as being more like the president’s “toothless backing dog” than a watchdog holding the executive branch accountable. As an institution designed to represent citizens and safeguard democracy, the parliament has failed to live up to this role due to several key issues undermining its authority.
Many MPs feel they must obediently follow the president’s orders rather than advocate for their constituents. With President Museveni ruling the roost for over 30 years, these loyal members of his NRM party know not to rock the boat if they want to keep their political careers. Just as the average dog loves its master, MPs rely on Museveni’s patronage and are afraid to bite the hand that feeds them.
Those who have shown any signs of independence quickly feel the president’s teeth sinking into their ambitions. Stories abound of opposition MPs facing harassment or literal attacks from security forces after voicing dissent. With their physical safety at risk, most have learned to just bark loudly for the cameras but never actually bite when it counts in crucial votes.
Another culprit neutering parliament’s bite is money. The lavish “allowances” that line MPs’ pockets from the executive make them dependent and grateful pets that hesitate to turn on their benefactors. How can someone funded by the state reasonably be expected to sink their teeth into the budget or challenge the status quo? They’ve essentially been bought off with treats.
Even approaching elections, the playing field is deliberately tilted in Museveni’s favor like a favorite owner manipulating a competition. The opposition faces censorship, violence, and arrests that strip their voice and votes, so parliament’s membership is stacked with obedient lapdogs rather than adversarial watchdogs from day one. Without real diversity or competition, parliament can’t find its bite.
Outside the chamber as well, any civic “guard dogs” facing the gate are gagged. Activists daring to bark up the wrong investigative trees risk disappearing or worse. So citizens can’t even empower parliament with their voices for change and demand it fulfill its purpose. Parliament remains neutered and unable to actualize its mission.
Unless major reforms are taken to not only break NRM strangleholds but also strengthen protections for dissent and independent institutions, Uganda’s parliament is doomed to habitually wag its tail and let Big Brother do as he pleases rather than governing on the people’s behalf with any true bite. Uganda deserves better than a toothless parliament of yes-men that lets democracy be taken for a walk without any real say.
The Writer Is a Concerned Ugandan Citizen
