MP Lumu proposes amendments to end ruling party’s grip on parliamentary leadership
Addressing journalists at Parliament, Lumu announced his intention to introduce an amendment that would require the Deputy Speaker of Parliament to be elected from the Opposition, a move he believes will enhance the checks and balances within Uganda’s legislative system.
Mityana South Member of Parliament, Richard Lumu, has put forward a series of proposals to amend the Administration of Parliament Act, aiming to curb the ruling party’s dominance over the leadership of the Ugandan Parliament.
Addressing journalists at Parliament, Lumu announced his intention to introduce an amendment that would require the Deputy Speaker of Parliament to be elected from the Opposition, a move he believes will enhance the checks and balances within Uganda’s legislative system.
“While I am aware that this requires a constitutional amendment, I firmly believe that it would further enhance the checks and balances within our legislative system,” Lumu stated.
Lumu also proposed that Commissioners of Parliament should be directly elected by Members of Parliament (MPs), rather than being appointed by political parties.
“This would end the current culture of political parties imposing Commissioners and ensure that those elected truly represent the MPs they serve,” he added.
Furthermore, Lumu suggested that the entire Opposition caucus should vet all members of the Shadow Cabinet after they have been nominated. He emphasized that if any nominees are found lacking in competence, the main Opposition Party should be required to replace them. “This will ensure that our Shadow Cabinet is not only competent but also representative of the collective will of the Opposition,” he explained.
Lumu also called for an expansion in the number of Commissioners to provide representation for smaller political parties in Parliament.
“The Bill provides that Commissioners should be elected. I am proposing that there must be another Commissioner within the Commission to represent all other small political parties in Parliament,” Lumu noted.
He argued that with four Commissioners representing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and one for the largest Opposition party, the interests of smaller political groups are left out.
Lumu’s proposals aim to create a more inclusive and balanced leadership structure in Parliament, ensuring that all political voices are represented and that decisions are made transparently and fairly.
