The Makindye East Member of Parliament (MP), Derrick Nyeko, has threatened to join the Ugandan youth to protest against the alleged corruption in the country should they (MPs) be denied space to debate corruption in parliament.

According to Nyeko, the parliament has denied legislators the opportunity to table and discuss matters concerning corruption, in which some Members of Parliament have been implicated.

“If we are not given space in the parliament, we will unite with the youth on the streets because our rights as elected leaders are intentionally denied. Despite having different views, this further emphasizes why we were chosen as leaders by different people,” Nyeko said.

While speaking on the floor of parliament on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, Nyeko said that the presiding officers should comprehend that they (MPs) are not in parliament at their discretion.

Nyeko’s quest for the corruption motion in parliament is an addition to that of the Aringa South MP, Alion Odria, who emotionally demanded that parliamentary leaders address the corruption accusations that have been reflected in the recent media campaigns against corruption.

The Kampala Central MP, Muhammed Nsereko, also supported the anti-corruption protests to awaken the government to address issues of unemployment and poverty that are affecting the youth. He, however, urged the youth to express their grievances to their area legislators, who have been quiet on corruption.

However, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has since said that the corruption debate would proceed over two days, urging legislators to adhere to parliamentary procedures instead of resorting to confrontational tactics.

The public’s discontent with parliament has increased following leaked documents alleging theft of the country’s resources by the four parliamentary commissioners, including the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Mathias Mpuuga.