MP Ssenyonyi Claims Bill Targets Him as LOP

Nakawa West Member of Parliament (MP) Joel Ssenyonyi has expressed concerns that a proposed Bill aimed at changing the selection process for the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP) is targeting him personally. Ssenyonyi, who currently holds the position of LOP, made these remarks on October 16, 2024, during his appearance before the legal and parliamentary affairs committee, which is examining the proposed law.

The Bill, officially titled “The Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2024,” was introduced by Richard Lumu, the MP for Mityana South representing the opposition Democratic Party (DP). During the committee session, Ssenyonyi articulated his belief that the Bill reflects a misguided intention to challenge his position as the current LOP.

Ssenyonyi stated, “If the mover is targeting the current LOP, then he is misguided. Colleagues from the NRM [National Resistance Movement] who appeared before this committee yesterday acknowledged that they too could be in the opposition someday, and that is the reality of politics.” This comment highlights his perspective on the fluid nature of political alliances and opposition roles in Uganda.

When asked by committee chairperson Stephen Baka, the NRM MP for Bukooli North, why he perceived the Bill as a personal attack, Ssenyonyi responded with a metaphor: “If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it most probably is a duck.” His assertion emphasizes his view that the Bill’s implications are clear and targeted.

Furthermore, Ssenyonyi questioned the rationale behind electing the LOP when the Leader of Government Business is not elected by government MPs. “So, why would we be seeking to have the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament elected?” he asked. He pointed out that all opposition political parties have disregarded the proposed amendment, arguing that it lacks relevance. “So, which opposition is the mover of the Bill talking about?” he queried.

Ssenyonyi cautioned that electing the opposition leaders by parliamentary members could lead to fragmentation within the opposition. He argued that a fragmented opposition would be less effective in presenting a united front and could have negative implications for Uganda’s democratic processes. “The election of the LOP by members of the opposition in Parliament has implications for our democratic process. It presents challenges that could undermine the effectiveness, accountability, and stability of our parliamentary system,” he stated.

The Bill seeks to amend the Administration of Parliament Act, Cap. 272, to modify the selection process of the LOP by allowing all members of the opposition in Parliament to participate in the election process. Currently, Section 8 of the Act stipulates that the LOP is elected by the party in opposition to the government that has the greatest numerical strength in Parliament.

However, Lumu’s Bill points out that the current law is silent on the composition of the electoral college, raising questions about how the new selection process would be structured.