Gov't Rejects Proposal To Hold Elections For LOP

Mityana South Legislator Hon Richard Lumu's proposal to hold elections for the Leader of Opposition has been trashed by government saying that such a move would be contrary to the legal framework and would interfere with party autonomy.

  Government however, calls for amendments to the Administration of Parliament Act to mandate the presence of either the Prime Minister or the Minister of Finance at Parliamentary Commission meetings when key decisions are made.

 The bill, proposed by MP Richard Lumu, seeks to introduce reforms, including allowing other opposition parties to elect the Leader of Opposition and creating a second slot for smaller opposition parties on the Parliamentary Commission. 

Deputy Attorney General and state minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs Hon Jackson Kafuuzi said that government considers the proposal to elect the Leader of Opposition from other opposition parties as a contradiction of the mandate given by the people.

He emphasized that the position of Leader of Opposition is determined by the internal procedures of the largest opposition party, a process that is more of a policy matter than a legal one. 

 “Allowing other opposition parties to elect the Leader of the Opposition would be a contradiction of the mandate given by the people for the Leader of the Opposition to be elected from another party. We observe that the selection of the Leader of Opposition is determined by the internal procedures of the opposition party which is more of a policy nature rather than a legal nature,” Kafuuzi noted. 

 Government also rejected the proposal to add a second opposition representative to the Parliamentary Commission, citing concerns that it would distort the principle of numerical strength, which is traditionally held by the largest party or the Government. 

 Kafuuzi also pointed out that the proposal would place an undue financial burden on the Consolidated Fund, violating Article 93(a) (ii) of the Constitution.