UGANDANS LEFT TALKING!! MP Lumu Proposes LoP To Be Elected By All MPs Including NRM

The Leader of Opposition, Rt Hon Joel Ssenyonyi, has expressed amusement at the recent motion proposing that the Leader of Opposition (LOP) be elected by all legislators from the opposition, stating that he is not intimidated by any democratic process.

Ssenyonyi, also the Party Spokesperson and Leader of the Parliamentary Front, asserted that his team has consistently exerted pressure on the government and will continue to do so, undeterred by the proposed amendment.

However, the motion has received criticism from former FDC president Dr Kiiza Besigye, who argues that the LOP should be appointed by the shadow president, rather than elected by all opposition MPs. Besigye emphasized that the principle of multiparty democracy dictates that the majority opposition party forms a shadow government, which should ideally be composed of one party, offering alternative policies to those of the government. He contended that the current hybrid parliamentary and presidential system in Uganda necessitates the appointment of the LOP by the shadow president, rather than an election by all opposition MPs.

Besigye further pointed out the inconsistency of Hon Ssegona, who had previously moved a similar motion in the last parliament, objecting to FDC’s appointment of the LOP, but later became comfortable with the same process when his party, NUP, became the main opposition party. Besigye lamented the absence of democracy and a multiparty system in Uganda, urging well-meaning opposition MPs to focus on fighting for these principles rather than seeking benefits within the NRM/M7 Junta rule.

The debate highlights the complexities and nuances of Uganda’s political landscape, with different perspectives on the role of the Leader of Opposition and the democratic process. As the country navigates its political challenges, the discourse surrounding the LOP’s appointment or election serves as a critical aspect of the broader conversation on governance, democracy, and representation.