Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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A proposal by Richard Lumu to amend the Administration of Parliament Act 2024 has triggered debate in parliament and within Uganda’s political circles, particularly over how the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in Parliament is selected and supervised.
Introduced as a private member’s bill by the outgoing Mityana County South MP, proposes significant changes to the current system that determines opposition leadership in Parliament.
Current System
Under the existing arrangement, the largest opposition party in Parliament designates the Leader of the Opposition. At present, that party is the National Unity Platform (NUP), which appoints the LOP from among its Members of Parliament.
What the Bill Proposes:
•Lumu’s bill seeks to change this process by introducing a more collective decision-making model among opposition MPs.
If passed, the bill would require the majority opposition party to nominate at least three candidates for the position of LOP. All opposition Members of Parliament—regardless of their political party—would then vote to elect one of the nominees as Leader of the Opposition.
•The proposal also introduces new oversight mechanisms for the opposition leadership structure. Among the suggested changes is a requirement that the shadow cabinet—often described as the opposition’s “government-in-waiting”—must be approved through a resolution of all opposition MPs rather than being solely appointed by the LOP.
Other Proposals in the Bill
The bill also includes several additional reforms within Parliament, such as:
•Reserving the position of Deputy Speaker for the opposition
Reducing the number of signatures required to support a censure motion from 177 to 100 MPs
•Providing for a whip for independent Members of Parliament
•Allowing the runner-up in the presidential election to sit in Parliament as an ex-officio member
Opposition Pushback
However, several opposition leaders have strongly criticized the bill, arguing that it is politically motivated and selectively designed.
Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the outgoing MP for Kira Municipality, is among those opposing the proposal. He argues that the changes appear to target specific individuals rather than address genuine institutional gaps.
“I don’t agree with changing the goalposts because someone is about to score,” Ssemujju said, warning that altering parliamentary rules for political convenience could undermine democratic practice.
The opposition also argues that allowing all opposition MPs to elect the LOP could enable smaller parties or independents to influence the leadership of the largest opposition party.
Despite the criticism, the bill has attracted support from members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who argue that the proposal could promote inclusiveness and accountability within opposition ranks.
Lumu defends his bill, saying the current arrangement sidelines smaller opposition parties and concentrates too much power in the hands of the largest party.
According to him, the proposed reforms are intended to make the leadership of the opposition more representative of all opposition voices in Parliament.
Introduced as a private member’s bill by the outgoing Mityana County South MP, proposes significant changes to the current system that determines opposition leadership in Parliament.
Current System
Under the existing arrangement, the largest opposition party in Parliament designates the Leader of the Opposition. At present, that party is the National Unity Platform (NUP), which appoints the LOP from among its Members of Parliament.
What the Bill Proposes:
•Lumu’s bill seeks to change this process by introducing a more collective decision-making model among opposition MPs.
If passed, the bill would require the majority opposition party to nominate at least three candidates for the position of LOP. All opposition Members of Parliament—regardless of their political party—would then vote to elect one of the nominees as Leader of the Opposition.
•The proposal also introduces new oversight mechanisms for the opposition leadership structure. Among the suggested changes is a requirement that the shadow cabinet—often described as the opposition’s “government-in-waiting”—must be approved through a resolution of all opposition MPs rather than being solely appointed by the LOP.
Other Proposals in the Bill
The bill also includes several additional reforms within Parliament, such as:
•Reserving the position of Deputy Speaker for the opposition
Reducing the number of signatures required to support a censure motion from 177 to 100 MPs
•Providing for a whip for independent Members of Parliament
•Allowing the runner-up in the presidential election to sit in Parliament as an ex-officio member
Opposition Pushback
However, several opposition leaders have strongly criticized the bill, arguing that it is politically motivated and selectively designed.
Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the outgoing MP for Kira Municipality, is among those opposing the proposal. He argues that the changes appear to target specific individuals rather than address genuine institutional gaps.
“I don’t agree with changing the goalposts because someone is about to score,” Ssemujju said, warning that altering parliamentary rules for political convenience could undermine democratic practice.
The opposition also argues that allowing all opposition MPs to elect the LOP could enable smaller parties or independents to influence the leadership of the largest opposition party.
Despite the criticism, the bill has attracted support from members of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who argue that the proposal could promote inclusiveness and accountability within opposition ranks.
Lumu defends his bill, saying the current arrangement sidelines smaller opposition parties and concentrates too much power in the hands of the largest party.
According to him, the proposed reforms are intended to make the leadership of the opposition more representative of all opposition voices in Parliament.
