MPs in the HouseRumour circulating across Uganda about a proposed extension of presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years has sparked widespread public concern. For many citizens, this debate has once again highlighted a long-standing issue that continues to weigh heavily on our country: the size and cost of Parliament. For years, Ugandans from all walks of life have voiced concern about what they see as an excessively large legislature. The steadily increasing number of Members of Parliament (MPs) has placed a growing burden on public resources. Funds that could otherwise be directed toward improving healthcare, strengthening education systems, and upgrading infrastructure are instead stretched thin. In communities where poor road networks, underfunded hospitals, and struggling schools remain a daily reality, proposals to extend political terms feel not only misplaced but deeply frustrating. At the heart of the current debate lies a fundamental concern: the growing perception that national decisions are increasingly serving narrow political interests rather than the broader welfare of the Ugandan people. The growing sense of dissatisfaction suggests that public patience is wearing thin, and that continued disregard for citizen concerns risks pushing sections of the population toward forceful and unlawful means of expression, echoing the very path through which Yoweri Museveni rose to power. Article 78 of the constitution allows for the number of representatives to be reviewed, increased, or reduced by a resolution of Parliament. However, this method depends on the willingness of Parliament to reform itself, which has proven challenging in practice. This is not the first time the size of Parliament has come under scrutiny. In 2024, Honourable Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba sought leave of Parliament to introduce a private member’s bill aimed at triggering electoral and constitutional amendments, including a significant reduction in the number of MPs. In his proposal, each district would be represented by only one MP, alongside 156 women MPs allocated proportionally based on the percentage of votes secured by political parties in general elections. He further proposed maintaining 146 district MP positions and 10 for cities but redistributing them in line with each party’s share of the national vote. Despite the structured nature of these reforms, his efforts met stiff resistance within Parliament and ultimately failed to gain traction. While past efforts may have faltered, they have not extinguished the discussion. Instead, they have strengthened a growing belief among Ugandans that meaningful change will require collective action beyond the confines of Parliament. Uganda parliament buildingUnder Article 255 of the Constitution of Uganda and the Referendum and Other Provisions Act 2005, as citizens, we have the right to demand a national referendum on any issue, including parliamentary structural changes. The call to reduce the size of Parliament is no longer a matter for political circles alone; it has become a shared national concern. As Ugandans, it is time to move beyond frustration, channel our energy into constructive engagement, and unite around a common purpose. A citizen-led push for a referendum stands out as a necessary and credible path forward, particularly in light of growing public distrust in Parliament’s willingness to reform itself, an institution increasingly seen as incapable of acting against its own interests, much like entrusting a lion with the safety of its prey. By taking this step, we will have fulfilled our constitutional responsibility and placed ourselves in a strong position to demand accountability from our area MPs should they fail to act in the interest of the public. As the debate over term extensions continues, it is becoming increasingly clear that many Ugandans are drawing a line. The combination of a large Parliament and proposals to lengthen political tenure is a step away from rather than toward the nation’s development goals. Uganda belongs to its people, and, together, we have the power to shape the future we want to see. Let us unite beyond political party affiliations and push for a referendum, for Uganda belongs to all of us. The writer is a member of People’s Reform UgandaThe post Govt should listen to public outcry over proposed term extension appeared first on The Observer.