Opinion: Lumu MP wants the NRM to decide who becomes the LoP…

“Election is the epitome of democracy, I am a Catholic, there is an election of the Pope, the highest and respected leader in the world, if there is an election there, there must be an election here. We are in the Opposition, we were elected and we also elected you (Speaker), the very reason why you are seated in that seat. We also elect the President therefore, there is no reason why when we come to Parliament as the Opposition, we don’t elect our leader who is the Leader of Opposition” (..) “It is important that the pillar of democracy, which is election should actually be done by us the Opposition, who are actually bout to take power. We need an election, clear, in the Opposition. Section 8 of the Administration of the Parliament Act Cap272 provides for the election of the Leader of Opposition by the Party in Opposition having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament. The Rules also say that other parties should be consulted, my Party has never been consulted on that whenever there is a new or the other Leader of Opposition” – Richard Lumu MP for Mityana South, 29.08.2024).

The Leader of Opposition has been the Parliamentary leader elected by the party in opposition which is having the greatest numerical strength in Parliament. That has been accustomed way of electing or appointing the LoP. This has been done for years and been a regular, which the Speaker has later officially announced for the Parliament. That’s how the National Unity Platform has appointed the LoP, first with Mathias Mpuuga MP and now Joel Ssenyonyi MP.

Before that it was the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) who has changed the LoPs, as they have been the biggest opposition party before the 11^th Parliament. Where the National Resistance Movement (NRM) haven’t always been happy with the figure or the leader itself.

This is making it a spectacle and a show of popularity, which is very ironic. It is taking away the power of the opposition to chose its own. Deliberately giving the power to the ruling regime and their majority in Parliament. It is significantly taking away the powers of the opposition and the one with numerical strength among the opposition. This post and office can easily become the one that is the “Good DP” or the “Good NUP” for that matter. Instead of being the MP who challenges and checks the government as its supposed too.

The Leader of Opposition should be chosen by the opposition and not by the whole Parliament. Just like the Government Chief Whip shouldn’t be appointed or voted on by all Members of Parliament. The Government Chief Whip should be appointed by the party in government. The LoP should be appointed or nominated by the opposition itself. If not… what is the point of the office?

The LoP shouldn’t be a majority contest. Just like the Party Chief Whips shouldn’t be a party contest either. If not… then all roles in Parliament should be voted over and be announced after a secret ballot. However, that wouldn’t be useful for others than the government with the majority. They will have say in the matters of the opposition and clip their wings.

If the MP succeeds with this legislation and get the law changed. He has initially given more power to the regime and written of the opposition. This is giving the NRM the power to decide who is the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. That shouldn’t be the role of the government to do so, but the biggest opposition party at the time. In the past FDC and currently NUP. Therefore, the DP MP is selling his soul for popularity points, but it doesn’t make the Parliament or Government Business running any smoother. Neither does he help the government to be held accountable or transparent for that matter. Because this law will only give reasons for the NRM to chose someone who is friendly and NRM leaning opposition as a LoP and that’s making the office completely useless. Peace.

Opinion: Ssenyonyi better get ready

This week it was announced that Joel Ssenyonyi MP is the next Leader of Opposition (LoP) his taking over from Mathias Mpuuga MP. This are Members of Parliament for the same opposition party, National Unity Platform (NUP). Mpuuga will get another role in the Shadow Cabinet and will still be relevant in matters of policy and in the public eye.

However, Ssenyonyi has rise through the ranks over the years. He went from being a journalist to become a Party Spokesperson. From there he was elected into Parliament and now years later he was appointed the Leader of Opposition.

His not a man who is seasoned and well travelled. To be frank, his maybe the most inexperienced LoP in years. The NUP is showing their strategies and their ways ahead by doing this. They are showing that loyalty matters there too and that the ones who stands tall get ahead.

Mpuuga was questioned and his way of moving things forward. The former one has been in Parliament for years and knew how things works. That is a vast difference for Ssenyonyi who has only been there for mere two years. Even if he has seen and partaken in plenary sessions over the term. It doesn’t make him ready for this.

I wasn’t even ready to see Winnie Kiiza as LoP back in the day. Now seeing Ssenyonyi MP I’m even more worried. Because, it isn’t an easy task. This regime isn’t making things easier and they are more willing to corrupt than ever before. The current government and their handlers are willing to make the August House a den of thieves and full of hypocrites. Therefore, you cannot be naive or be acting all in good faith. That will end up in nowhere and he should be concerned about that.

Ssenyonyi MP seems like a likeable guy, a reasonable man and an intelligent man. He has never seemed stupid or reckless. Even when he has gotten into trouble or tasted the brutality of the authorities. No real MP from the Opposition haven’t gotten a beating, been arrested or touched by a police officer. That just comes with the territory and Joel knows this.

That’s why his going in and the sharks smell blood. They will try to find his motives and the way he acts. They will do what they can to make him naked and undress him. That’s what they do and the party members will also go after him, if his too soft or if he acts according to the process. If he just follows due process and does average due diligence. He will be crucified, as Mpuuga MP was by several pundits. While he did have a plan and tried to use the office for good.

We can just imagine and wonder how he will act. Because, there is no road for him. That was shown under Mpuuga. If you think he would suffer in this office, Ssenyonyi will suffer even more. He will be tricked and will be an easy prey.

Ssenyonyi MP should be careful now and assess his next step. He needs strategies and plans ahead. Not just talk or empty pleas. The regime will not give him way. If he thinks so… his not prepared or ready for what awaits him. These are unforgiving men and they will use all methods to mock, harass and make him look like a fool. Peace.