Over 35 members of parliament from nearly all opposition political parties attended the parliamentary regional sittings in Gulu last week, despite contrary advice from the leader of the opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi.
Notably, several MPs from Ssenyonyi’s own party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), disregarded his counsel. Among the NUP MPs who attended were Dr Abed Bwanika (Kimanya-Kabonera), Jimmy Lwanga (Njeru), Twaha Kagabo (Bukoto South), Veronica Nanyondo (Bukomansimbi Woman), Michael Kakembo (Entebbe Municipality), and Bashir Kazibwe (Kawempe South).
Additionally, some members of the shadow cabinet, who were part of the meeting where Ssenyonyi led the decision to boycott the sittings due to concerns over wasteful expenditures and lack of tangible benefits for the regions hosting the sessions, also attended. These included Gilbert Olanya (Kilak County, Chairperson Local Government Accounts Committee), Okin Ojara (Chwa West, Science and Technology), Lucy Akello (Amuru Woman, East African Affairs), and Santa Okot (Aruu North, Special Regions).
Other opposition MPs in attendance included Denis Onekalit (FDC), Anthony Akol (FDC), Emmanuel Ongietho (FDC), Julius Emigu (FDC), Florence Kabugho (FDC), Harold Muhindo (FDC), Betty Aol (FDC), Stella Isodo (FDC), Naboth Namanya (FDC), Okot Peter (DP), Richard Lumu (DP), Byaiga Lulume (DP), Nelson Okello (UPC), Yusis Opion (UPC), Patrick Ochon (UPC), Kellen Auma (UPC), Bob Okae (UPC), Okot Bitek (FDC), Dr Nicho- las Kamara (FDC), Moses Kabuusu (FDC), Atkins Katusabe (FDC), Charles Okello (DP) and Santa Alum (UPC).
Several MPs who spoke to the press be- fore or during the Gulu sittings expressed their frustration with the leader of the op- position, Joel Ssenyonyi, stating they would not be dictated to by him. Richard Lumu, the MP for Mityana South, criticized Ssen- yonyi for making unilateral decisions with- out consulting other opposition MPs. “We are all MPs here. How can you take such a decision without consulting us?” Lumu questioned.
Before the Gulu sittings, Lumu had requested Ssenyonyi to convene an emergency meeting to discuss the matter, but this did not happen. It was reported that the shadow cabinet had discussed the issue in a meeting.
However, one MP, who attended the meeting and requested anonymity to speak freely, told this newspaper that Ssenyonyi should have at least engaged the whips of other parties to persuade their members not to attend the sittings.
“He didn’t meet them; but even if he had, I think it is important that the entire opposition caucus is consulted. Although we are their leaders, MPs are very independent people; it’s hard to micromanage them,” the MP said.
Another MP, who also asked for anonymity to avoid jeopardizing his relationship with Ssenyonyi, noted that since his appointment in December last year, Ssenyonyi has never held an all-opposition caucus meeting.
The MP claimed that any decision Ssenyonyi has made, which he claims binds the entire opposition, actually comes from a small group of loyal NUP MPs. The MP added that Ssenyonyi has struggled to galvanize support even within his own NUP camp, and the repercussions of Mathias Mpuuga’s dismissal as leader of the opposition continue to create divisions.
In addition to the six NUP MPs who openly defied Joel Ssenyonyi by attending the Gulu sittings, there are other NUP MPs whose loyalty he appears to have lost. These include Joyce Bagala [Mityana Woman MP], Juliet Kakande [Masaka City MP], Mathias Mpuuga [Nyendo-Mukungwe MP], and Medard Lubega Sseggona [Busiro East MP].
These MPs have publicly supported Mpuuga, especially during the recent attempts by Ssenyonyi’s faction to remove him from his position as commissioner of parliament.
Moreover, dissatisfaction is growing within the party ranks. MPs such as Charles Tebandeke [Bbaale County], Robert Ssekitooleko [Bamunanika], and Ritah Nabukenya [Luweero Woman MP] have expressed concerns about how the party is being run. According to a senior party leader who spoke anonymously, “There are many other MPs who are disillusioned by how not only Ssenyonyi is conducting parliamentary business but also other senior party leaders, but they can’t say anything because they still want the card.”
The National Unity Platform (NUP) has yet to announce how it will select its party flagbearers for future elections. In the previous elections, the party established an elections board to choose its flagbearers. Now, those who stood on the party card are apprehensive that if they are perceived as opposing the party, they may be denied the card in the 2026 general elections.
Ssenyonyi, who is the MP for Nakawa West and also serves as the party’s spokes- person, was unavailable for comment on this story at the time of publication.
inarticle} inarticle}
