Proposed Bill to Elect Leader of the Opposition Sparks Deepening Divisions Within NUP

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The recent decision by Parliament to grant leave to Richard Lumu, the Mityana South legislator from the Democratic Party, to introduce the Administration of Parliamentary Bill 2024 is poised to deepen divisions within the National Unity Platform (NUP) and weaken the broader opposition. The bill, which seeks to have the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) elected by opposition legislators rather than appointed by the leading opposition party, has sparked significant controversy.

Lumu argues that the current system is undemocratic, depriving opposition members of the right to choose their leader, a practice that he claims undermines the very principles of democracy. During a plenary session in Gulu, he passionately advocated for this change, questioning why the Leader of the Opposition should not be elected by all opposition members of Parliament, as is done with leadership positions globally.

However, this proposal has not been received well within NUP, where opinions are sharply divided. Some members view Lumu’s move as a necessary step toward greater democracy within the opposition, while others see it as a threat to party unity and stability. Kalungu West MP Gonzaga Ssewungu, a staunch critic of the bill, dismissed Lumu’s initiative as driven by self-interest and excitement, rather than genuine concern for democratic reform. He warned that such proposals could be exploited by those with ulterior motives to sow discord within the opposition.

Mawogola South MP Gorreti Namugga echoed concerns about NUP’s internal divisions, highlighting that the party’s current approach to leadership selection may be contributing to its vulnerability. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has condemned those supporting the bill, accusing them of using it as a smokescreen to evade accountability. Ssenyonyi, who currently holds the position of LOP, suggested that the push for this bill is an attempt to undermine his leadership in response to his firm stance on government accountability.

The debate around this bill is not new. A similar proposal was made in December 2018 by Andrew Baryayanga, the then Kabale Municipality MP, who sought to empower MPs to elect their leadership in Parliament. Like Lumu’s current proposal, Baryayanga’s attempt was seen as a challenge to the status quo, but it ultimately failed to gain traction.

As opposition members continue to clash over the bill, the risk of further weakening their collective strength grows. While some view the bill as a path toward more democratic practices within the opposition, others fear it could lead to increased fragmentation and infighting, which may benefit the ruling party. The outcome of this internal conflict could have significant implications for the future of the opposition in Uganda.