Mityana South MP Richard Lumu on Monday during the press conference at Parliament expressed frustration over accusations that his proposal to have MPs vote for their Leader of Opposition is a government-backed attempt to undermine the Opposition.
During a press briefing, Lumu described the criticisms as “shallow and myopic,” especially in light of a similar proposal made by Medard Sseggona in the 10th Parliament, which did not provoke the same backlash from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
He urged that some members of the opposition think is launching an attack on the current Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi. He however questioned why similar proposals were made in the 10th Parliament by Medard Sseggona and nothing was done to him.
“I am also seeing people saying, ah this Lumu, he is being supported by Government and the President. Whoever is thinking like that is either shallow or myopic,” Lumu stated. He emphasized that his Bill should not be reduced to personalities and assured that he has no grudge against Ssenyonyi. “If I had known Joel Ssenyonyi properly, it is only 2 and half years or 3 years, so I haven’t gotten any grudges against him and I wouldn’t even have reasons for fighting him.”
Lumu lamented that the public’s rush to judgment on his Bill, which is still under construction, has created misconceptions and scared other MPs from commenting on it. He clarified that his proposal aims to have the main opposition party present three candidates, from whom the broader opposition would elect the Leader of the Opposition, thus broadening rather than diminishing the power of the main opposition party.
“I am simply strengthening it, I am simply widening it,” Lumu explained, urging critics not to “kill his baby before it was birthed.” He noted that when Sseggona proposed a similar idea in the 10th Parliament, the FDC, then the largest opposition party, did not attack him. “Let us not narrow this Bill to only one personality. Let us look at the Bill as the Bill that can help the nation,” Lumu argued.
He further addressed allegations of receiving support from the government and questioned why the opposition, which positions itself to take over power in 2026, is so resistant to the idea of elections within its ranks. “I don’t know why someone would be scared of elections. I am scared that the people who want to promote democracy fear elections.”
In addition to the leadership proposal, Lumu is also advocating for the Deputy Speaker of Parliament to be elected from the Opposition, a change he acknowledged would require a constitutional amendment. He argued that this would end the ruling party’s monopoly over top legislative positions and enhance checks and balances within Parliament.
Lumu’s Bill also proposes changes to the election of Parliamentary Commissioners, suggesting that they be directly elected by MPs to prevent political parties from imposing their choices. He called for expanded representation within the Commission to include smaller political parties, ensuring that their interests are also represented. Furthermore, he suggested that members of the Shadow Cabinet be vetted by the entire opposition caucus, a move he believes would bolster competence and represent the collective will of the opposition.
Despite the backlash, Lumu maintains that his proposals are intended to strengthen opposition leadership and governance structures in Parliament, rather than undermine any individual or group. He urged the public and fellow MPs to evaluate the merits of his Bill beyond the personalities involved, stressing that he intends to contribute positively to the legislative process and the broader democratic landscape in Uganda.
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