Ssenyonyi Warns of Fragmentation Amid Proposal for Leadership Elections

KAMPALA – The Leader of the Opposition (LoP), Joel Ssenyonyi, has cautioned against a proposed bill mandating elections for leadership positions within the opposition in Parliament, warning it could cause division and weaken their ability to challenge the ruling government effectively.

In a recent statement, Ssenyonyi highlighted the risks of internal competition among opposition members.

"Forcing opposition MPs to compete for leadership positions could fragment the opposition, making it less effective in presenting a united front," he warned.

He argued that unity is essential for the opposition to hold the government accountable and influence legislative outcomes.

The proposal, introduced by MP Richard Lumu, seeks to require all opposition MPs to approve appointments for the Shadow Cabinet and other leadership roles.

Mr Ssenyonyi, however, defended the current system, where opposition leadership appoints key figures without broader consultation.

He questioned why the opposition would need to approve appointments when the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) does not require the same for its government ministers.

"The Shadow Cabinet mirrors the Government cabinet, which is appointed by the winning candidate of an election," Ssenyonyi explained.

"The LOP needs a team they are comfortable working with, which is why appointments are made without a vote. If government ministers aren't selected by all MPs, why should the opposition's leadership be?"

Ssenyonyi also raised concerns about inconsistencies in how parliamentary leadership is handled, noting that while most committees are led by the ruling party, only four accountability committees are chaired by the opposition.

"Why would the opposition be subjected to different standards?" he asked.

Ssenyonyi suggested the proposal might be targeting him personally but emphasized that his role is temporary. "If Lumu is targeting me, he's mistaken. I won't be LOP forever," he remarked.

In response, Stephen Baka, Chairperson of the Legal Committee, assured Ssenyonyi that the proposal would take effect with the 12th Parliament in 2026, indicating that it wasn't aimed at his current tenure.

Baka also justified the swift handling of Lumu's bill, citing its brevity compared to other legislative matters.

As discussions unfold, the proposal has sparked debate within Uganda’s political landscape, with the opposition weighing the potential consequences of such reforms on their leadership dynamics.