Summary:
- The bill, proposed by Richard Lumu (Mityana South), seeks to have the Leader of Opposition elected by Members of Parliament.
KAMPALA: The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has criticized Parliament for the rapid enactment of the Lumu Bill and the election of the Leader of Opposition, arguing that Parliament is neglecting more pressing issues affecting Ugandans.
The remarks were made by FDC President Patrick Amuriat during his appearance before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to present the party’s views on the Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill 2024.
The bill, proposed by Richard Lumu (Mityana South), seeks to have the Leader of Opposition elected by Members of Parliament.
Amuriat emphasized the need for reforms that prioritize the interests of Ugandans, stating, “Uganda faces many pressing issues that need to be addressed before this Lumu Bill. I believe Parliament after Parliament has been unjust to our democracy, and there is a need to respect and refine it.”
The FDC also accused Stephen Baka, Chairperson of the Legal Committee, of favoritism, questioning why he chose to fast-track Lumu’s Bill while ignoring other Private Members’ Bills that had been tabled earlier.
Amuriat described the handling of the Lumu Bill as “supersonic speed,” expressing concern over the motives behind this urgency.
He further stated that the FDC strongly opposes the proposed amendment, believing it is driven by bad faith and aims to weaken opposition political party institutions.
According to Amuriat, Parliament is one of the few spaces where the Opposition can operate without harassment, which is increasingly rare in Uganda.
“We are alarmed at the favoritism in the processing of Bills. Lumu’s Bill has been fast-tracked while other Private Members’ Bills remain stuck. The speed at which the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee has processed this Bill is suspicious and raises questions,” Amuriat said, directly addressing Baka.
Amuriat also suggested that the Bill is part of a broader government effort to limit the Opposition’s ability to function effectively, reducing political participation, undermining public institutions, and silencing dissent in Parliament.
“Denying the largest Opposition party the right to elect the Leader of Opposition is undemocratic and undermines the trust voters place in us. It could also be used by the ruling party to remove strong Opposition leaders, silencing dissenting voices,” he added.
He concluded by saying that any internal issues within the Opposition should not be resolved through legislation, but administratively.
Amuriat expressed concern that the Bill could fuel unnecessary divisions among Opposition MPs in the quest for top parliamentary positions.
“Who is Lumu to speak for the FDC? He is completely out of order,” Amuriat stated.
The FDC fears that the Lumu Bill could be exploited by the ruling party to further marginalize the Opposition, a concern rooted in Uganda’s history of restrictive politics.
