Joel Ssenyonyi

Government rejects LoP Ssenyonyi removal bill

by · The Observer

The ruling NRM government has surprisingly rejected a private member’s bill introduced by Mityana South MP Richard Lumu, which proposed reforms to how the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) is elected.

The Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2024, sought to have opposition members of parliament elect the LoP, specifically from the opposition party with the greatest numerical strength in Parliament. Lumu’s bill also proposed grounds for removing the LoP from office, requiring the shadow cabinet to be approved by opposition MPs, and mandating consultations with all opposition parties in parliament when appointing parliamentary standing committee leaders.

THE CASE FOR REFORM

Speaking during the Gulu regional parliamentary sitting in August 2024, Lumu argued that the current system suppresses minority voices within the opposition.

Highlighting the diversity of political parties in parliament— including the Democratic Party, Forum for Democratic Change, Uganda People’s Congress, Justice Forum, and the People’s Progressive Party—he said the existing approach limits full representation of all opposition groups.

Lumu questioned why positions such as the pope, the Ugandan President, and the speaker of Parliament are elected through democratic processes, while the leader of the opposition and chief opposition whip are exempt from similar principles.

GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSE

The Ministry of Finance and Deputy Attorney General Jackson Karugaba Kafuuzi rejected key elements of the bill. The Ministry argued that increasing the number of Parliamentary Commissioners would burden the Consolidated Fund.

The government also declined the proposal to add a seat for smaller opposition parties on the commission, stating it would distort the principle of numerical strength, which grants the largest party in Parliament more representation.

“Adding a second opposition member to the four commissioners out of the total nine would undermine the principle of numerical strength, which prioritizes representation for the largest party or the government. Additionally, the proposed amendment would place an extra burden on the Consolidated Fund,” Kafuuzi explained.

The government has also dismissed MP Richard Lumu’s proposal to introduce elections for the leader of the opposition, stating that the matter falls under policy considerations rather than legislative action.

Additionally, the government recommended amending the Administration of Parliament Act to mandate the attendance of either the minister of Finance or the prime minister at Parliamentary Commission meetings when significant decisions are under discussion.

Kafuuzi also dismissed the proposal to allow opposition MPs to remove the LoP by resolution, stating it would undermine the mandate of the opposition party with the greatest numerical strength—a mandate given by voters.

“The process of removal by resolution of opposition parties in parliament contradicts the will of the people, who exercise their power through regular, free, and fair elections. The leader of the opposition is appointed through election and should not be removed by a resolution of parliament,” he explained.

OPPOSITION VIEWS

Current Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi expressed opposition to the bill, describing it as a targeted move rather than a genuine effort to strengthen democracy.

“It’s not just me; every stakeholder who has appeared before the committee has raised concerns about the bill. If the aim was to enhance democracy by electing both the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of Government Business, I’d support it. However, if you’re only focusing on the opposition leader, it becomes clear this is about targeting an individual rather than strengthening democratic processes,” Ssenyonyi said.

He added, “The rules specify that the leader of the opposition shall be elected from the party with the majority of opposition members. I was indeed elected by my party’s National Executive Committee, which also elected Hon. Mathias Mpuuga (former LoP). When the rules say ‘elected by the party,’ it doesn’t mean calling all members nationwide; it means using the party’s top governing body.”

MOVING FORWARD

The bill remains contentious, with debates highlighting the tension between reforming parliamentary processes and preserving established political norms. For now, the government’s rejection reflects its stance on maintaining the status quo regarding the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition.

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