Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has revealed that the administration of Parliament Bill 2024, which seeks to have the Leader of the Opposition elected by Opposition MPs, is targeting a particular personality or opposition party the government is having differences with.
“FDC believes that the legislation should always be blind. This particular amendment seems to be having eyes to a particular personality or opposition party looking at the spirit of the said legislation. We shouldn’t settle scores by mooting for legislation targeting certain individuals whom some people may have differences or disappointment with. We must enact legislation for posterity. Today we are in opposition, tomorrow we are in Government but we look to have a strong opposition to put our Government in check. We must not be blinded to be career opposition members. Our destination must be looking at capturing state power,” FDC noted in a statement.
Last Thursday, during the Northern regional Parliamentary sitting in Gulu city, Richard Lumu the MP Mityana South Constituency (Democratic Party) was given a leave to introduce a private Member’s bill, the administration of Parliament Bill 2024, which among others, seeks to have the leader of the Opposition elected by Opposition MPs.
FDC Party reiterates their considered view of rejecting this intended legislation moved by Lumu which is not anywhere in Commonwealth parliamentary practice.
FDC noted that the amendment will allow all opposition MPs to elect the Leader of Opposition, potentially leading to a divisive and chaotic process with the opposition ranks both in Parliament and at a political party level which will give the ruling party a leverage to ferment hostility within the opposition over the leadership of opposition in Parliament.
FDC added, “The proposal disregards the internal structures and processes of individual opposition parties, potentially creating conflicts and undermining party cohesion. This arrangement empowers Political parties in choosing and ensures control and influence over its members in Parliament. The said legislation if passed will kill multi-party democracy in Parliament as the elected leader of opposition by opposition members will not represent the views of opposition parties represented in Parliament as he won’t be answerable to parties but rather MPs.”
The amendment will lead to intense rivalries and infighting among opposition MPs, weakening the opposition’s collective strength and effectiveness.
“The proposal was moved without adequate consultation with opposition parties, demonstrating a lack of respect for their autonomy and input. We wonder what defect Lumu is trying to cure it in the existing legislation. For all the issues that affect Ugandans, do we really need such legislation at this time?? Who does Lumu and the proponents of this amendment works for if we the key stakeholders haven’t come out to demand for it?
FDC added that the amendment will fragment the opposition, making it harder to present a united front against the ruling party. In fact, Lumu is indirectly opening a door for the ruling party to penetrate the opposition easily and giving an avenue for it to influence the outcome of the election. The regime will pump money and will sponsor a candidate to run for the position and hence that person will always work for the state which determined his election as leader of opposition and this will affect the furtherance of opposition agenda and unity in the house.
In the 10th Parliament, this very amendment was moved by Medard Sseggona Lubega (MP, Busiro East) and Aja Baryayanga (then Kabale Municipality MP) and was supported by then Shadow Attorney General Wilfred Niwagaba (MP Ndorwa West) which attempted to amend the Administration of Parliament Act to change the designation of the Leader of Opposition from the main opposition party to the entire opposition caucus.
At a press briefing today, Lumu asked the public not to reduce the bill to personalities, as he has no grudge against the current Leader of Opposition.
Lumu described people accusing him of fighting the 0pposition through his proposal to have MPs vote their own Leader of Opposition as shallow and myopic, wondering why when the same proposal was fronted in the 10th Parliament, FDC did not attack or malign the mover, Medard Sseggona, like he is being attacked.
Lumu wondered why some members of the public rushed to make comments about the Bill that is still under construction, saying it is these perceptions that have scared some MPs from making comments about his Bill without first understanding the contents in his Bill.
He explained, “I am suggesting that the main Opposition Party with the largest numerical strength will produce three people and from those three people, the greater opposition will elect one. I am sure that people are scared thinking that people are thinking that we are taking away the power of the main Opposition to produce the Leader of Opposition, that isn’t what I am doing. I am simply strengthening it, I am simply widening it.”
Lumu also wondered why the Opposition that is positioning itself to take over power in 2026 is opposed to the Bill and scared of an election, and he questioned if their reaction is an indication of their unpreparedness to ascend to power in 2026.
“I don’t know why someone would be scared of elections. I am actually scared that the people who actually want to promote democracy fear elections. We are in Opposition and we are preparing to go for elections in case we have done some action for us to go there. So, people shouldn’t fear elections. We shall be in power in 2026, so since we shall be in power in 2026, this Bill will work on the people who will be in Opposition. So, are people saying we are going to be permanently in the Opposition? Are they happy with the position?” argued Lumu.
