Katikkiro Weighs in on Constitutional Reform to Elevate Presidential Runner-Up as Leader of Opposition

News

add

The Katikkiro of Buganda, Charles Peter Mayiga, has called for a constitutional amendment that would automatically assign the position of Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in Parliament to the presidential runner-up. Mayiga believes this change is crucial to ensuring that the voices of those who did not support the winning presidential candidate are adequately represented in the legislative process.

Mayiga’s proposal was inspired by his experiences during the 2013 Ettoffaali fundraising drive, where he interacted closely with the then-Leader of the Opposition, Nathan Nandala Mafabi. Reflecting on that experience, Mayiga stated, “Someone who garners the second-highest number of votes should be the voice for those who did not elect the winning candidate.”

He further emphasized that direct representation by the presidential runner-up would be more effective than the current system, which often involves intermediaries who may not fully align with the electorate’s preferences. “This would prevent the need for going through a representative with whom voters may not have a smooth working relationship, as we have seen happen on numerous occasions,” Mayiga added, highlighting the need for a more unified and cohesive opposition.

Mayiga expressed optimism that Members of Parliament (MPs) would support this idea if a relevant amendment is brought to Parliament. His remarks come amid ongoing debates over a proposed amendment to the Administration of Parliament Act, introduced by Richard Lumu, the MP for Mityana South from the Democratic Party.

Lumu’s amendment, tabled last Thursday during the Northern Regional Parliamentary sitting in Gulu, seeks to empower opposition MPs to elect the Leader of the Opposition. This proposal has sparked 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’s amendment aims to change this by allowing all opposition MPs, regardless of party affiliation, to elect the LOP. This could potentially disrupt the tradition of the largest opposition party holding the LOP position, thereby giving smaller parties like the DP greater influence in opposition leadership.