KAMPALA, Uganda
A group of Members of Parliament affiliated with the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) has formally notified the Clerk to Parliament of its intention to introduce a Private Member’s Bill seeking to amend the law governing the selection of the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in Parliament.
Members led by Buyaga West County MP Dennis Namara, served notice marking the first formal step toward tabling the proposed legislation before Parliament.
According to the MPs, the proposed amendment seeks to review the provisions of the Administration of Parliament Act that currently guide how the Leader of the Opposition is selected.
“The amendment of the law to put a better process through which the Leader of Opposition is chosen is not targeting our brother Joel Ssenyonyi. The proposed amendment will focus on LOP, Commissioners and Committee leadership. It’s not about an individual called Ssenyonyi as some want to allege. Its a law that will work even when is no longer the leading opposition party,” Namara said
Speaking after submitting the notice, Namara argued that the existing arrangement does not adequately involve opposition MPs in the selection process.
“Now the Leader of the Opposition is selected from Kavule by a few individuals without consulting other opposition Members of Parliament. We are supporting this amendment for purposes of ensuring accountability and deepening democracy and multiparty political dispensation,” he said.
Under the current practice, the Leader of the Opposition is typically nominated by the largest opposition party in Parliament and subsequently recognized by the Speaker. The position is currently held by Joel Ssenyonyi of the National Unity Platform, which holds the largest number of opposition seats in Parliament.
The proposed amendment has already sparked debate among political observers and legislators. Supporters argue that the reforms could broaden participation among opposition MPs and make the selection process more inclusive.
However, critics have questioned the timing and intention of the proposal. Some opposition figures fear that changing the law could weaken the ability of the largest opposition party to determine its parliamentary leadership.
The move comes amid growing political activity as parties position themselves ahead of Uganda’s next electoral cycle. It also highlights ongoing discussions about parliamentary governance, party autonomy and the role of opposition leadership in the legislative process.
Other MPs associated with the initiative include Linos Ngompek and Simon Peter Okwalinga, who were present when the notice was delivered to the Clerk’s office.
The bill has not yet been tabled before Parliament, and lawmakers must first obtain leave of the House before introducing it for debate.
If approved, the proposed legislation could trigger one of the most significant debates about the structure and leadership of Uganda’s parliamentary opposition in recent years.
Also Read: Museveni Hosts Survivor of 1976 Entebbe Hijacking Nearly 50 Years Later
