FDC Najjanankumbi warns of risks in Lumu's amendment proposal

Despite the objections, Speaker Anita Among ruled in favour of Lumu’s motion, asserting that the sitting in Gulu is a regular parliamentary session and that the bill does not target any individual, including the current LOP, Joel Ssenyonyi.

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has reaffirmed its opposition to the proposed amendment of the Administration of Parliament Act, introduced by Richard Lumu, MP for Mityana South.

The amendment, tabled last Thursday during the Northern Regional Parliamentary sitting in Gulu, seeks to allow opposition Members of Parliament to elect the Leader of the Opposition, a proposal the FDC has vehemently rejected.

FDC Najjanankumbi Party Spokesperson, John Kikonyogo, outlined several reasons for the party's opposition, emphasizing concerns over the amendment's impact on democratic principles and party structures.

“This amendment undermines democratic principles by allowing all opposition MPs to elect the Leader of the Opposition. It risks creating division and chaos within opposition ranks, which would only benefit the ruling party,” Kikonyogo stated.

The FDC also expressed concerns that the amendment disregards internal party processes, weakening overall political party democracy. “The proposal disempowers political parties by stripping them of control over their members in Parliament. If passed, this legislation would kill multi-party democracy, as the Leader of the Opposition would not be answerable to any party but to individual MPs,” added Kikonyogo.

Furthermore, the FDC criticized the lack of consultation with opposition parties, accusing Hon. Lumu of introducing the amendment in bad faith. “There was no adequate consultation with key opposition stakeholders. This proposal is driven by bad faith, aiming to fragment the opposition and make it easier for the ruling party to influence outcomes within the opposition,” Kikonyogo remarked.

The FDC has called upon other opposition parties, particularly the National Unity Platform (NUP), to join in opposing the amendment. The party emphasizes the need for unity in resisting what it views as an attempt by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) regime to assert control over the opposition in Parliament.

Lumu’s proposed bill seeks to alter the current system by making the position of Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in Parliament an elected one.

Under the current arrangement, the LOP is appointed by the opposition party with the largest number of MPs in Parliament, typically the NUP.

Lumu, however, wants Section 8 of the Administration of Parliament Act amended to allow all opposition MPs to elect the LOP, regardless of party affiliation.

This change could disrupt the tradition of the opposition party with most MPs holding the LOP position, potentially giving smaller parties like DP a say in the selection.

Lumu’s bill also seeks to change the way the Chief Opposition Whip is chosen, proposing that this position, too, should be elected by opposition MPs rather than being appointed by the majority opposition party. Lumu defended his proposal by comparing the election of the LOP to other democratic processes.

“Election is the epitome of democracy. As a Catholic, I know even the Pope is elected. So why shouldn’t the Leader of the Opposition be elected too? We elect the Speaker of Parliament, and we also elect the President. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t elect our own Leader of the Opposition,” Lumu argued.

Lumu criticised the current process, stating that when Joel Ssenyonyi was appointed as the current LOP, his party, the DP, was not consulted, which he claims is against Section 8 of the Act.

The motion was supported by NUP’s Mbwatekamwa Kakembo, MP for Entebbe Municipality, who argued that the current system allows the LOP to favour their party at the expense of unity within the opposition.

“We’ve seen instances where the Leader of the Opposition behaves as if they represent only their party. This was true with the FDC, and now we’re seeing it with NUP. If we elect our leader, they will respect and unite all of us, making us stronger,” Kakembo said.

However, opposition to the bill was voiced by some MPs, including Okin Ojara, MP Chwa West and Denis Oneka Lit , MP Kitgum Municipality.

Ojara warned that the proposed changes could disrupt Parliament’s current structure, noting that the ruling party doesn’t elect its Chief Whips or Prime Ministers.

“This motion is very dangerous. The current arrangement works well, and Parliament as an institution has not faced any challenges with the LOP under the current legal regime,” Ojara asserted.

Oneka also questioned the timing and venue for introducing the motion, pointing out that the current regional sitting in Gulu was meant to focus on issues affecting the Northern Region, not on personal or party disputes.

Despite the objections, Speaker Anita Among ruled in favour of Lumu’s motion, asserting that the sitting in Gulu is a regular parliamentary session and that the bill does not target any individual, including the current LOP, Joel Ssenyonyi.

The Speaker directed the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige, to assist Lumu in drafting the bill for its first reading in the House