Summary:
- Alaso questioned the necessity of the amendment, arguing that the current system is functioning well.
KAMPALA: The Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) has urged Parliament to reject the Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill, 2024, criticizing it as hypocritical and a tool for settling political scores, which could damage the reputation of Parliament.
This appeal was made on Thursday by ANT National Coordinator Alice Alaso, during her appearance before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, where she presented the party’s views on the Bill. The Bill, tabled by Richard Lumu (Mityana South), seeks to allow MPs to elect the Leader of Opposition, rather than having such a leader appointed by political parties.
“We pray that no law passed in this House is biased. Our perception is that this Bill is being used to serve particular interests. Laws should not be trivialized for settling political scores, as this undermines the reputation of Parliament. Many stakeholders and political parties oppose this amendment, and if enacted, it will be counterproductive. It will lead to a slow erosion of the democratic space, further shrinking what little we have,” Alaso stated.
Alaso questioned the necessity of the amendment, arguing that the current system is functioning well.
“Why fix what isn’t broken? The current convention works. The lack of an electoral college for the Leader of Opposition does not mean there is a defect in the law. Many positions in government, including committee chairpersons, are filled without an electoral college. Why, then, should the Opposition be held to a different standard?” she asked.
She also questioned why the ruling party appoints chairpersons and deputy chairpersons of sectoral committees without an electoral process, yet the Opposition is being asked to follow a different route.
Alaso further pointed out that even the Prime Minister, who heads government business, is not elected by an electoral college.
ANT warned that if the Bill is passed in its current form, it would effectively abolish the position of Opposition in Parliament, a move they find unacceptable and likely to provoke constitutional challenges.
“We believe that, if enacted, this Bill will face constitutional challenges. There is a clear double standard here committee members are designated by their political parties, so why impose a different standard on the Opposition?” Alaso argued.
