Ssenyonyi Questions Selective Elections in Proposed Parliament Reforms

What the report says

Uganda’s Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has questioned proposed reforms to the Administration of Parliament Act that would change how the Leader of the Opposition is selected and overseen. According to Nile Post, he argued that if Parliament wants opposition leadership positions to be elected, similar rules should also apply to ruling NRM structures, including the government chief whip, Cabinet-linked roles and NRM representatives on the Parliamentary Commission.

His comments followed the introduction of the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2026, by Buyaga West MP Denis Namara on November 11. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for review. The proposed changes would alter the selection and removal process for the LoP, expand consultation requirements for opposition appointments and add new accountability provisions.

Ssenyonyi said he was not against reform in principle, but warned that the measures appeared to place democratic duties on one side of Parliament only. He also defended the current make-up of his Shadow Cabinet, saying it reflects consultation among the six opposition parties represented in Parliament. He raised concerns about a proposed censure mechanism for the LoP, arguing that comparable accountability rules do not apply to the Vice President or Prime Minister.

He further questioned proposed pension benefits for the opposition leader and said any amendments must align with Article 82A of the Constitution, which provides for the office and requires Parliament to legislate on its selection, removal, functions, status and benefits. The bill will now be examined by the committee before it returns for further parliamentary consideration.