A heated exchange erupted in Parliament today between Speaker Anitah Among and Leader of Opposition (LOP) Joel Ssenyonyi over allegations that the National Unity Platform (NUP) is using elderly citizens for political show.
The debate which unfolded during a parliamentary session was triggered when Speaker Among claimed that NUP was parading elderly people at their offices to push a political agenda.
The leader of opposition Joel Ssenyonyi dismissed the accusations arguing that NUP provides an open platform for all Ugandans with grievances and does not force anyone into appearing at their offices.
Speaker’s remarks suggest that NUP is deliberately staging elderly citizens to create a false impression of suffering and government neglect a claim that has ignited intense public debate.
However, Ssenyonyi countered the Speaker’s statement with a sharp response;
“These people come to us willingly because they have real grievances. We are not staging anything, we are merely amplifying their voices.”
With Uganda’s political climate growing increasingly tense, the battle over who truly represents the people’s interests has become a major talking point.
The elderly often seen as symbols of vulnerability and wisdom make powerful figures in political narratives. Whether they are seeking genuine help or being used as pawns in a larger political game remains an issue.
