ANT and UPC Urge Parliament to Reject Controversial Lumu Bill
The bill, introduced by Mityana South MP Richard Lumu, seeks to shift the responsibility of electing the Leader of Opposition from political parties to individual Members of Parliament.
In a robust critique of the Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill, 2024, the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) has called for Parliament to reject the legislation, describing it as hypocritical and a tool for political retribution.
The bill, introduced by Mityana South MP Richard Lumu, seeks to shift the responsibility of electing the Leader of Opposition from political parties to individual Members of Parliament.
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The appeal was made by Alice Alaso, the National Coordinator of ANT, during a presentation before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. Alaso emphasized the potential ramifications of the bill, warning that it could destabilize the current political landscape.
Mugisha Muntu, a founding President of ANT, highlighted the dangers of creating a second power center, stating, “Right now, if you appoint a Leader of Opposition from outside their control, you will have created a second power center. This Bill should not be passed. It is a recipe for disaster for this country.”
He underscored the challenges facing political parties in the current environment, urging against complicating an already difficult situation. “We are grappling with so many challenges... Don’t create two power centers,” he added.
Alaso echoed Muntu's concerns, cautioning those in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party:
“For those of you in the NRM, you may do something now because you got the numbers, and tomorrow, you may find yourselves in Opposition... Be very careful. At ANT, we believe that the stability of this country can only happen when there are strong institutions; the parties are the vehicles of governance.”
The ANT further warned that if Lumu’s bill is passed in its current form, it could effectively abolish the position of Opposition in Parliament.
Alaso deemed this outcome unacceptable, suggesting it would likely attract constitutional challenges.
“We believe that if this Bill is enacted in its present state, it is open to constitutional challenge... So why would one peddle a standard which is contrary to the one practiced already?” she argued.
Alaso also expressed concerns over the motivations behind the bill, stating, “We pray that no law is passed in this House which has eyes. Our perception out there is that this Bill has eyes... It damages the reputation of the House.” She warned that the proposed amendment could lead to the erosion of the democratic space, suggesting it could be counterproductive in the long run.
Questioning the necessity of the proposed changes, Alaso asked, “Why would anybody try to fix what isn’t broken? In our view, it isn’t broken; the convention is working, the tradition is okay.”
She pointed out that many government positions are filled without an electoral college, challenging the bill's assumptions. “Which electoral college elects the Prime Minister who heads Government business?” she queried.
The debate over the bill continues as lawmakers weigh its potential implications for parliamentary governance in Uganda.
In a related development, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has also rejected the Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill, warning that it would cause chaos and division within the Opposition.
UPC Secretary General Fred Ebil made this assertion while addressing the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee. He urged Parliament to prioritize electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 general elections instead.
“We are here to plead with you... much as he [Lumu] has these issues that he has raised... we need to have a free and fair election which is urgent... We think the other things can be addressed administratively,” Ebil stated.
Ebil expressed concern that the proposed changes would exacerbate divisions within the Opposition, saying, “In his Bill, he assumes that this will bring cohesion; for us, we think it will cause more chaos... each time you contest, the losers even go to court.”
He emphasized the need for reforms that would facilitate free and fair elections in 2026, as highlighted by the Supreme Court's previous pronouncements.
He reiterated UPC’s call for Parliament to act on electoral reforms before the electoral roadmap is established, warning that Uganda is already falling behind in the electoral process.
“We met with the Electoral Commission as IPOD members... if the Government is delaying, maybe one MP can come up with a constitutional amendment that can help them conduct elections in a free and fair manner,” Ebil added.
As discussions continue, the future of the Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill remains uncertain, with significant concerns raised regarding its potential impact on Uganda's political landscape.
