Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
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Parliament has granted Buyaga West MP Dennis Namara leave to introduce a Private Member's Bill that could significantly change how Uganda's Leader of the Opposition (LoP) and other parliamentary leaders are chosen.
•The proposed Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to amend the current law by allowing all opposition MPs, together with independent legislators, to elect the Leader of the Opposition. Under the existing arrangement, the LoP is nominated by the opposition party with the largest number of MPs in Parliament before being formally appointed by the Speaker.
While seeking leave of the House, Namara argued that the current system concentrates too much power in the hands of a few party leaders, denying other opposition MPs a voice in choosing the person expected to represent the entire opposition in Parliament.
“Now the LoP is selected from Kavule by some few individuals without consulting other opposition Members of Parliament. We are seconding the motion for purposes of ensuring accountability and deepening democracy and multi-party political dispensation,” Namara told Parliament.
•Besides changing the election of the LoP, the Bill proposes reforms to the selection of Parliamentary Commissioners and leaders of parliamentary committees. It also introduces additional grounds for removing a Leader of the Opposition, including incompetence and misconduct, which Namara says will strengthen accountability.
The proposal sparked debate in Parliament. Kassanda North MP Patrick Nsamba opposed the motion, arguing that a similar Bill had been introduced by former Mityana South MP Richard Lumu during the 11th Parliament before it was later withdrawn. Supporters, however, maintained that Parliament is free to consider a fresh proposal.
Photo: Current LOP Joel Ssenyonyi - NUP, Courtesy picture of Parliament of UG
The Bill has attracted widespread political attention because it comes amid calls by Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba for the removal of the current Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi. Over recent weeks, Muhoozi has repeatedly posted on X that he wanted a new LoP and directed the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) to explore legal avenues for effecting the change. PLU Secretary General Daudi Kabanda later said the process would be pursued legally.
Supporters of the Bill insist it is not aimed at removing any individual but is intended to make parliamentary leadership more democratic by broadening participation in the selection process.
With leave now granted, Namara is expected to formally table the Bill for its First Reading. It will then be referred to the relevant parliamentary committee for scrutiny and public consultation before returning to the House for debate and a vote. If passed by Parliament and assented to by the President, the amendments will become law.
Source: New vision
