Bill Proposing Changes to Leader of Opposition Selection Tabled in Parliament for First Reading

by Andrew Matege

posted onOctober 2, 2024

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Mityana South MP Hon. Richard Lumu has presented the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2024, aimed at reforming how the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) and other opposition positions are selected in Parliament. The bill was introduced during a plenary session on 1st October 2024, presided over by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

The bill seeks to amend the current Administration of Parliament Act, which allows the opposition party with the highest number of MPs to select the LOP without consulting other opposition members. Lumu, a Democratic Party MP, argues that this system sidelines smaller opposition parties, leading to lack of accountability and representation.

“The current process imposes the Leader of the Opposition without the will and consent of all opposition members,” Lumu stated, adding that the bill would allow for all opposition MPs to participate in selecting the LOP.

Under the proposed changes, the LOP would be elected by all opposition MPs to ensure fair representation, and the Shadow Cabinet would require approval from all opposition parties represented in Parliament. The bill also calls for consultations with opposition parties when appointing parliamentary committee chairs, among other reforms.

The bill comes at a time when the opposition in the 11th Parliament is fragmented, with six political parties—National Unity Platform (NUP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), Justice Forum (JEEMA), People's Progressive Party (PPP), and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). NUP currently holds the majority of opposition seats, with 57 MPs.

Lumu’s bill was referred to the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for further examination. Deputy Speaker Tayebwa assured MPs who had similar motions pending that their proposals would also be heard promptly.

This move could reshape the dynamics of opposition leadership in Uganda’s Parliament, ensuring broader representation across all opposition parties.