Ssenyonyi Urges Opposition MPs to Strengthen Communication with Constituents

What the report says

Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has called on opposition MPs in Uganda’s 12th Parliament to improve how they communicate with constituents, saying voters should regularly hear what their representatives are doing in Parliament and in their communities. Nile Post reported that he made the appeal during a two-day opposition induction retreat focused on legislative priorities for the new Parliament.

According to the report, Ssenyonyi said effective representation is not limited to raising issues in the chamber. He encouraged lawmakers to explain their parliamentary work through community meetings, traditional media and digital platforms, and to do so in a way that is consistent, accurate and responsible. He warned that failing to share reliable information could weaken the link between Parliament and the public it serves.

Ssenyonyi also argued that stronger communication can help citizens better understand lawmaking, oversight and representation, and may increase public participation in governance. He urged MPs to make sure their questions, scrutiny of reports and policy positions are connected to everyday concerns facing Ugandans.

The remarks come as opposition legislators settle into the 12th Parliament, where members come from different parties and among independents. In that setting, Ssenyonyi said MPs should keep their focus on constituents’ interests rather than internal political differences. More broadly, the message reflects a common parliamentary challenge in many democracies: balancing oversight of government with regular public engagement.