Parliament moves to amend selection process for Leader of Opposition
During the plenary session on Thursday, 29 August 2024, held at the Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City, Hon. Lumu argued that this method excludes other opposition parties represented in Parliament, despite the fact that the LoP oversees all opposition parties and even selects the shadow cabinet from them.
Parliament has granted Mityana County South MP, Hon. Richard Lumu, permission to introduce a Private Member’s Bill titled, “The Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill, 2024.” This Bill seeks to revise how the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is selected in Parliament.
Under the current Administration of Parliament Act, the LoP, who is given the status of a cabinet minister, is chosen by the opposition party with the greatest numerical strength in Parliament.
During the plenary session on Thursday, 29 August 2024, held at the Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City, Hon. Lumu argued that this method excludes other opposition parties represented in Parliament, despite the fact that the LoP oversees all opposition parties and even selects the shadow cabinet from them.
Lumu highlighted the need to promote democratic principles by allowing all opposition MPs to elect the LoP and the Chief Opposition Whip.
He noted that although five opposition parties—National Unity Platform (NUP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Democratic Party (DP), and People’s Progressive Party (PPP)—are represented in the House, only NUP currently selects the LoP and Chief Opposition Whip. This was also the case when FDC held the majority.
Lumu, a member of the DP, argued that if the President and Speaker are elected, there should be no reason why opposition members in Parliament should not elect their own LoP. However, Chua West County MP, Hon. Okin P.P. Ojara, cautioned against the motion, stating that the current arrangement works effectively, and unlike the opposition, the ruling party does not elect its Chief Whip or ministers.
The current LoP, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, is the seventh since the return to multiparty politics in 2005, following previous leaders including Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, Hon. Betty Aol, Hon. Winnie Kiiza, Hon. Nathan Nandala-Mafabi, Hon. Phillip Wafula Oguttu, and Hon. Morris Ogenga Latigo.
Speaker Anita Among noted that the clause on LoP selection is not entrenched in law, and members cannot be denied leave to introduce a Bill to amend it.
Following guidance from Deputy Attorney General Hon. Jackson Kafuuzi, who stated there were no legal barriers to the motion, Hon. Lumu was granted leave to proceed with the Bill’s introduction.
