The newly appointed opposition Chief Whip who is also the Jinja South Division East Member of Parliament Paul Mwiru has directed opposition leadership in parliament especially members of the shadow cabinet to create a good working relationship with President Museveni ministers.
He explained that after taking oath as elected leaders it means that time for politics is done and now is the time to work for the people who voted them to occupy the said offices given that voters only want service delivery.
“I’m in touch with my boss, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament to organize a retreat for our shadow ministers and other opposition legislators to educate them on their roles and priorities in parliament. As Chief Whip, I don’t want to hear that opposition leaders in parliament don’t talk to government ministers. I even directed them to get phone numbers of their line cabinet ministers so to engage them whenever they encounter a problem during their course of doing their work,” Mwiru said.
He explained that in the course of doing their work, opposition ministers are always frustrated by security personals and Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and their only option to overcome such situations is to engage the line minister to stop the said individuals from frustrating other leaders from executing their duties of working for their voters.
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He explained that opposition supporters get angry when they see their leaders talking to those of Museveni because a situation has been created that whenever leaders from opposite sides meet, money has to exchange hands which breeds the compromise narrative.
He was supported by Salim Kisekka the Bukomansimbi county legislator who said that having a different political view does not mean that politicians should turn into enemies.
“Opposition foot soldiers should know that politics means service delivery, not showing physical muscle as if we are in a fighting ring. I know couples where the wife is in Museveni’s government and the husband is in opposition but their marriage is doing well,” he said.
However, Mwiru cautioned opposition ministers that even though they are supposed to be in good talking terms with those in government, it doesn’t stop opposition supporters from holding them accountable to do what they voted them for.
He revealed that as a Chief Whip, he is going to make sure that legislators in the opposition properly execute their mandate in parliament by attending plenary, committee meetings, supervise government work and this is what they will base on to recommend their official travel duties locally and abroad.
