Opposition unity is growing against the proposed amendments to the Administration of Parliament Act, seeking to change the process of electing the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, proposed by DP’s Mityana South Member of Parliament, Richard Lumu.
In a rather shocking move related to that of FDC, the Democratic Party has also officially distanced itself from their very own son’s proposed bill –The Administration of Parliament Act, 2024, arguing that, just because the mover is their subscribing member doesn’t mean the Bill is representing their views.
Ismail Kiirya, Acting DP Spokesperson said they’re ready to challenge the bill at all levels, stating that it’s against multi-party dispensation, during a press conference held at their offices in Kampala earlier today.
“We disassociate with the legislation because it undermines multiparty dispensation which DP fought for. We want to inform the general public that DP is ready to go and challenge that bill at committee level, and in court if passed into law and at all levels where it comes because it is not serving the interest of DP. DP is ready to defend multiparty dispensation”. Kirya said.
Last week, DP’s Mityana South Member of Parliament Richard Lumu was granted permission by the Parliament during the regional plenary sittings at Kaunda Playgrounds in Gulu city to present a Private Member’s Bill seeking to change the process by electing the Leader of Opposition and Chief Opposition whip through a vote by opposition and Independent MP’s. The Bill also seeks to have the Deputy Speaker come from the opposition bench; Shadow Cabinet Ministers vetted and create an opportunity for Independent MP’s to be represented at the Parliamentary Commissioners Committee.
Kirya said the Bill was moved in bad faith and serves the interests of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and dis empowers multiparty democracy. He appealed to MP’s on the opposition side to rise up in big numbers and block the bill once it’s presented on the floor of Parliament for debate.
The FDC announced its rejection of the bill yesterday.
“As FDC, we strongly oppose the amendment moved by Hon. Lumu, because it’s driven in bad faith and aims to disempower opposition political parties’ institutions. We support maintaining the status quo”. John Kikonyogo, the FDC Spokesperson said.
He asked the leading opposition political party, National Unity Platform (NUP) to provide leadership against the bill.
Additionally, NRM Deputy Spokesperson Emmanuel Ddombo accused Lumu of making alterations in the bill than what he presented in Gulu such as a clause requiring the deputy speaker to come from the opposition. He advised Lumu to desist from discussing the bill in the media before it has been officially tabled in Parliament.
Report compiled by Teddy Namayanja. She’s a staff writer at SML News UG passionate about politics and human rights.
