Kampala, Uganda | A dramatic moment unfolded in Parliament on Tuesday when outgoing Erute South MP Jonathan Odur openly confronted Speaker Anita Among during a tense debate on the controversial Protection of Sovereignty Bill, accusing her of using his name to justify limiting debate on the floor of the House.
The charged exchange occurred as Members of Parliament debated minority reports concerning the proposed legislation, which has generated significant political and public interest over its implications for governance, civil liberties and Uganda’s democratic space.
Odur, one of the minority legislators selected to present dissenting views on the bill, had earlier been allocated 35 minutes to make his submission. During his presentation, the legislator raised several objections and concerns regarding the proposed law, reportedly seeking additional time after exhausting his allotted minutes.
However, Speaker Among repeatedly ruled that there was no more time available for him to continue. A visibly dissatisfied Odur eventually resumed his seat after relinquishing the microphone.
The situation escalated moments later when Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze took the floor and sharply criticised the joint committee leadership that processed the bill, accusing them of bias and selectively ignoring critical stakeholder submissions, including a memorandum allegedly submitted by the Buganda Kingdom.
Nambooze also accused committee co-chairperson Bakka Mugabi of disregarding her contributions despite her role as a Shadow Minister. She further criticised the 12th Parliament, arguing that legislators were acting as though they were the final custodians of the institution.
Drawing from Commonwealth parliamentary practice, Nambooze proposed that debate on the contentious bill be deferred to the 13th Parliament, which she argued would have adequate time to conduct broader consultations in line with parliamentary rules and democratic norms.
As she attempted to continue her remarks beyond the allocated time, Nambooze protested efforts to stop her submission, insisting that her views deserved to be fully heard irrespective of whether the Speaker agreed with them.
In response, Speaker Among directed the legislator to conclude her remarks and cautioned members to respect their allocated speaking time. While making the ruling, Among referenced Odur’s earlier submission, commending him for raising substantive issues that the House required sufficient time to debate.
That reference immediately triggered an angry reaction from Odur.
The outspoken legislator, who already bid farewell to Parliament after reportedly losing his seat during the January elections, rose from his seat and objected loudly to the Speaker’s remarks.
“Stop using my name because you did not allow me time to present my report,” Odur shouted across the chamber, accusing the Speaker of misrepresenting his position.
He insisted that his earlier experience should not be cited as justification for restricting debate by other opposition legislators, particularly Nambooze.
The unexpected confrontation momentarily heightened tensions inside the chamber, with several MPs closely watching to see whether the Speaker would directly respond to Odur’s defiant outburst.
Known for her firm handling of parliamentary proceedings, Among instead remained composed and refrained from engaging in a direct verbal confrontation with the Erute South legislator. She subsequently directed Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba to proceed with presenting another minority report.
Other legislators who expressed dissenting views during the debate included Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya, Mukono County South MP Abdullah Kiwanuka and Busiro East MP Medard Segona.
The debate on the Protection of Sovereignty Bill has continued to expose deep divisions within Parliament, with opposition legislators accusing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) of fast-tracking controversial legislation without adequate consultation and debate.