Fireworks in Parliament as Joel Ssenyonyi Lectures Speaker Anita Among on Matters Constitution

Tensions flared in Parliament as Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi raised a heated procedural matter over the alleged abduction and torture of National Unity Platform (NUP) member Edward Ssebuufu, popularly known as Eddie Mutwe.Addressing Speaker Anita Among on the floor of Parliament, Ssenyonyi questioned whether Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba was above the law.

His remarks were in reference to a controversial social media post in which Muhoozi allegedly bragged about detaining Eddie Mutwe in his basement during the 2018 wave of political crackdowns.

“Madam Speaker, if the Chief of Defence Forces can proudly say he illegally held a Ugandan citizen, what message does this send to the rest of the armed forces? Is Gen. Muhoozi above the Constitution?” Ssenyonyi asked, triggering murmurs across the House.

The Opposition leader challenged Parliament to treat the matter with urgency and seriousness, stressing that no individual, regardless of rank, should be allowed to violate constitutional rights with impunity.

He reminded the House that the Constitution protects every Ugandan from arbitrary arrest, illegal detention, and torture.

Joel Ssenyonyi’s statement not only cast a spotlight on rising cases of abductions and enforced disappearances but also rekindled debate over the militarization of politics and the lack of accountability in the security sector.

While Speaker Anita Among acknowledged the weight of the issue, she deferred her full response, promising to consult further with Parliament’s legal and security committees.

LINK: https://x.com/LoP_Uganda/status/1922256592239566997

The development adds pressure on government institutions to address growing concerns over human rights violations linked to the state, especially ahead of the 2026 general elections.

For now, Ssenyonyi’s bold confrontation has reignited public scrutiny over whether some top government officials are operating outside the law