Katikkiro Mayiga proposes constitutional change to elevate presidential runner-up as LOP

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has advocated for a constitutional amendment that would automatically assign the position of Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in Parliament to the presidential runner-up.

Mayiga asserts that this amendment is essential to guarantee that the perspectives of individuals who did not support the winning candidate receive adequate representation.

His proposal was influenced by his interaction during the 2013 Ettoffaali fundraising drive with the then-Leader of Opposition, Nathan Nandala Mafabi.

He emphasized, “Someone who gets the second highest number of votes should be the voice of those who didn’t elect the winning candidate.”

He underscored the importance of direct representation, arguing that it is more effective than relying on intermediaries who may not fully align with voters' preferences.

"Without going through someone else, with whom they may not have a smooth working relationship as we have seen many times," Mayiga added, stressing the need for a more unified and cohesive opposition.

Mayiga expressed hope that Members of Parliament (MPs) would support this idea if a relevant amendment is tabled in Parliament.

His remarks come amid discussions around the proposed amendment to the Administration of Parliament Act, introduced by Richard Lumu, MP for Mityana South (Democratic Party).

Lumu’s amendment, tabled last Thursday during the Northern Regional Parliamentary sitting in Gulu, seeks to allow opposition MPs to elect the Leader of Opposition. This proposal has been met with strong resistance from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

Under the current system, the LOP is appointed by the opposition party with the largest number of MPs, typically the National Unity Platform (NUP). Lumu, however, seeks to amend Section 8 of the Administration of Parliament Act to allow all opposition MPs to elect the LOP, irrespective of party affiliation. This change could disrupt the tradition where the opposition party with the most MPs holds the LOP position, giving smaller parties like the DP more influence.

Lumu also proposes that the Chief Opposition Whip should be elected by opposition MPs rather than being appointed by the majority opposition party. Defending his proposal, Lumu said, “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?”

He criticized the current process, citing the appointment of Joel Ssenyonyi as the current LOP without consulting his party, the DP, which he claims violates 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 favor their own party at the expense of opposition unity.

“We’ve seen instances where the Leader of the Opposition behaves as if they represent only their own party... If we elect our leader, they will respect and unite all of us,” Kakembo said.

However, opposition to the bill came from MPs like Okin P.P. Ojara (Chwa West) and Denis Oneka Lit (Kitgum Municipality). Ojara warned that the proposed changes could disrupt Parliament’s structure, noting that the ruling party does not elect its Chief Whips or Prime Ministers. “This motion is actually very dangerous. The current arrangement works well,” Ojara asserted.

Oneka questioned the timing and venue for introducing the motion, emphasizing that the Gulu regional sitting was meant to focus on Northern Region issues, not on internal party disputes. “This is a special regional sitting, the first of its kind, and it should remain focused on regional issues,” Oneka argued.

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

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

The LOP is a significant position within Parliament, responsible for appointing the shadow Cabinet, preparing and presenting an alternative budget, and serving as a member of the Parliamentary Commission.