Last week, Mityana South member of parliament, Richard Lumu, was granted permission to introduce a private member’s bill to amend the Administration of Parliament Act, the law that governs the election of parliamentary leaders.
This move has stirred significant debate, particularly within the National Unity Platform (NUP). The opposition boycotted the parliamentary sitting in Gulu, the first of four planned regional sitting sessions.
Speaking to reporters at Parliament, Lumu clarified that the bill is not targeted at any individual but is intended to streamline parliamentary operations. The bill proposes several key changes, including altering the process for selecting the Leader of the Opposition. Under the proposed amendments, the Leader of the Opposition would be elected by Members of Parliament from the party with the largest number of opposition MPs, chosen from among three nominees provided by the party.
Currently, party leaders appoint the Leader of the Opposition. Other significant proposals in the bill include changes to the election of the Chief Opposition Whip, who would be chosen by all opposition MPs. The bill also seeks to allow independent MPs to have a whip and ensures that a parliamentary commissioner is selected from opposition parties other than the largest one.
Additionally, the Deputy Speaker would be elected from among the opposition, and the number of MPs required to censure the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Commissioners would be reduced from two-thirds to 100. Furthermore, the bill proposes that a presidential candidate who secures 100,000 votes should be allowed to become an MP. These proposals aim to reshape the structure and functioning of parliamentary leadership, particularly within the opposition.
In this abridged version, MUHAMMAD KAKEMBO presents Lumu’s responses to questions posed by journalists. You introduced this proposal at a time when MPs are accusing the Leader of the Opposition of not consulting them about the decision to boycott the sittings in Gulu.
You introduced this proposal at a time when MPs are accusing the Leader of the Opposition of not consulting them about the decision to boycott the sittings in Gulu. Why did you choose to present it there?
Parliament has been in recess for almost two months, but I had already written to the Speaker seeking permission to present this bill. I sent my request in June, asking for leave to bring an amendment to the Administration of Parliament Act. I was informed around 8 pm. that my matter had been placed on the order paper, and fortunately, I was in Gulu at the time.
I heard someone mention that the bill hadn’t been attached; if that’s the case, it’s my responsibility. I have the bill; so, why can’t they simply ask me for it, and I’ll show it to them? Medard Sseggona, the MP for Busiro East, attempted to present a similar bill in the last parliament.
Have you looked into why it was rejected?
Are you suggesting that if one woman fails to give birth, all others will fail as well?
You’re proposing this bill to reform the opposition; so, why not also propose that the Prime Minister and Chief Whip be elected as well?”
That’s a new proposition. We are in a multiparty system.
By allowing independents to have a whip, aren’t you effectively creating another party?
Are they present in this parliament or not? How can they exist without being covered by any law?
That’s why people are questioning whether they are truly opposition.
As MPs, our duty is to make laws. Let me help the country by introducing a law that supports independents because they will continue to be part of parliament.
But should they come without proper guidance, like guests at a funeral?
I’m going to help them by creating a law that outlines how they should proceed in parliament, rather than leaving them at the mercy of the speaker or the opposition.
Who did you consult before bringing this bill?
The first step is to seek leave; the second is to consult, as you can’t consult without first obtaining leave. I expect to finish drafting by Friday, after which I’ll reach out to Medard Sseggona, Nsibambi [Yusuf, MP for Mawokota South], and other senior lawyers here. I’ll also consult with the Leader of the Opposition and the broader opposition. Additionally, I’ll visit my constituency to ask for their input on whether what I’m doing is right.
Are you not using this law as a means for the Democratic Party to secure positions that you were unable to achieve by winning more seats?
At one time, the FDC had the largest number of MPs, and now we have NUP. Let me take you back to the history of our country. The framers of the law envisioned a system with two strong parties, much like in America, where one doesn’t have to struggle too much.
In 1980, there were also two major parties, UPC and DP. But now, we have a situation where there are seven parties in opposition. Are you telling me that the other opposition members are useless, yet when you need their votes, they become useful?
I believe that you will need their numbers when it comes to voting. I’m not using the law to gain any advantage. You never know, the DP might come with 50 MPs, but let it be in an organized environment. We are heading into power in 2026, and the NRM will be in opposition, though I don’t know how many political parties.
They will find that I have put safeguards in place, and that won’t be a problem for the country. I’m very sure that in 2026, Museveni will also get some votes, and I’m proposing that he should be allowed to sit in parliament as an ex-officio member. The key point is, let the baby be born—don’t kill it.
You brought this bill in Gulu at a time when there was tension between the leadership of parliament and the Leader of the Opposition regarding these regional sittings. Aren’t you concerned that this move could be misunderstood as you being used?
Even Jesus was misunderstood, and so was Prophet Muhammad, yet we celebrate them today. When you are doing the right thing, people will inevitably misunderstand you. As a leader, you will face criticism. You just need to have a strong resolve and continue with what you believe is right.
The current law you mentioned already provides for the election of the Leader of the Opposition. Why not focus on enforcing that law instead of introducing an entirely new bill?
The current law is inadequate. The people who wrote it were likely influenced by the context of the 1980 parliament. What I’m suggesting is that we should approach politics as it is today. Politics has evolved significantly. For instance, do we even know the criteria we follow when working with the largest party in the opposition? This new law will help streamline that process. The existing law mentions elections, but can Hon. Mathias Mpuuga and Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi tell us when they were elected to their positions?
Who did they contest against? We want to know. If those who oppose this law don’t like it, this is their chance to amend it. They should come forward, and we can remove the law if they prefer appointments made their way. Instead of seizing this opportunity to improve the law, they are simply making noise.
