New LOP Ssenyonyi promises to keep Gov’t in check

Newly appointed Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi, has promised to execute his principle role of keeping government in check.

Ssenyonyi made the remarks as he made his maiden speech as LOP on January 9,2023 in Parliament.

“Rule 14(1) of our Rules of Procedure provides that the principle role of the leader of Opposition is to keep Government in check. By God’s grace, I will execute that mandate effectively and my hope is that we shall get support from MPs, not just from this House, but not just my colleagues to do this work. Because you see, keeping Government in check benefits all of us is to the benefit of all of us here and the people we designate,” he said.

Former LOP Mathias Mpuuga has urged Parliament to accord his successor, Ssenyonyi the same support he was accorded during his tenure in office in order to front the common interests of Ugandans.

“I want to appeal to the House to accord my successor the same support so that the common good is served. Ssenyonyi , young as he is,  he is very reasonable and he deserves our support so that we continue the duty that we have started both as NUP a very young party, but also as the Opposition in our quest to see a better tomorrow for our children and posterity. So that when history is written, they will have space to say, they met in the House, they were different, they opined differently but they converged to the centre to put forward the common good,” he noted.

To Ssenyonyi, Mpuuga advised, “Communicate effectively so that you are understood, don’t take it personal, take care of your good self, focus on the positive, be patient, seek support, it is all over this place, remember you aren’t alone, and where you get space, celebrate your successes.”

Following the announcement of Ssenyonyi  as the new LOP  by Speaker Anitah Among , the NRM MPs led Parliament in paying tribute to Mpuuga  for his exemplary leadership..

Speaker urged Ssenyonyi to build on the work done by Mpuuga  and reminded him of the Rules of Procedure that require him to make consultations with her office, while executing his duties.

Parliament also confirmed Commissioners including; Mpuuga  for the Opposition, while the NRM will be represented by; Afoyachan Esther, Solomon Silwany, Prossy Akampulira who will serve between January 2024 to May 2026.

However, the approval of Commissioners for NRM Party received some protest by Yorke Alion (Aringa South County) who wondered why the NRM Party asked MPs to apply for positions of Commissioners, yet all signs showed the Party wanted to maintain the old team.

“In November, the Government Chief Whip requested MPs from NRM to apply for the position of Commissioners. I am reliably informed that over 200 MPs applied. These MPs (Commissioners) were meant to be subjected to an election which hasn’t taken place within the NRM Party. As a Party, we also had a resolution in Kyankwanzi to have our Commissioners undergo primary elections, and then be presented to Parliament,” said Alion.

Alion added, “There is no way the Government Chief Whip is going to convince us that of all the NRM MPs we have, that we only have the three MPs who can serve in the capacity of the Commissioner. There is what we call injustice, there is what we call corruption, and disrespect of the law is taking place on the NRM side. And I want to advise the Government Chief Whip that the step you are taking is going to divide the Party.”