The newly appointed Shadow Cabinet has taken its oath to offer alternative policy suggestions to the government for the next two and a half years.
At the Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, amidst a two-day workshop on alternative budget priorities for the upcoming financial year, the swearing-in ceremony took place. It was presided over by Joel Ssenyonyi, the new Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP) and Nakawa West MP.
Comprised of members from various political parties including the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress, People’s Progressive Party, Democratic Party, and Independents, the Shadow Cabinet mirrors the structure and responsibilities of the government’s Cabinet. Their primary task is to monitor the activities of government ministries, departments, and agencies.
The Office of the LOP receives an annual budget allocation of 2.7 billion shillings from the Parliament budget to facilitate its operations, which includes funding for trips for Opposition lawmakers among other expenses.
Appointed in December of the previous year by the president of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi, commonly known as Bobi Wine, Joel Ssenyonyi leads the newly formed team. Among its members are prominent figures like Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Francis Zaake, Joseph Ssewungu, and Betty Naluyima, who hold various shadow ministerial positions.
Under the leadership of Ssenyonyi, the Shadow Cabinet pledges to maintain governmental accountability and ensure transparency in its operations. Joseph Ssewungu, emphasizing the importance of education, vows to advocate for the marginalized voices.
Retaining some members from the previous Shadow Cabinet led by Mathias Mpuuga, Ssenyonyi and Kyagulanyi show continuity in their approach. Notable among the retained members are Wilfred Niwagaba as the Shadow Attorney General and John Baptist Nambeshe as the Opposition Chief Whip.
The Opposition in Parliament bears the significant responsibility of acting as a watchdog over the government’s actions. According to Article 82(A) of the Constitution and the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Act, this responsibility falls on the shoulders of NUP and subsequently the LOP, as the party holds the second-largest representation in the 11th Parliament after the ruling National Resistance Movement party.
