FDC Asks NUP to Block Lumu’s Proposed Amendment Bil
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party based in Najjanankumbi has appealed to the National Unity Platform (NUP) as a leading opposition party in Parliament to block the administration of Private Members’ Bill 2024, which seeks to have the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP) elected by the opposition Members of Parliament (MPs).
According to John Kikonyogo, the FDC party spokesperson, the opposition leadership in parliament should provide substantial leadership to halt what he termed a redundant amendment bill, which is set to dissolve opposition in the country’s political landscape.
“We call upon the opposition leadership in parliament led by NUP to offer leadership and mobilize the opposition political parties and key stakeholders to block this redundant amendment bill. We call for opposition unity as we pursue this battle where the NRM regime intends to assert its control over the opposition in parliament,” Kikonyogo said.
“As FDC, we strongly oppose the amendment by Hon. Lumu, believing it’s driven by bad faith and aims to disempower opposition political parties’ institutions. We support maintaining the status quo,” he added.
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Justifying the party’s position on the proposed bill, Kikonyogo explained that it undermines Democratic principles, stating that the amendment will result in intense rivalries and infighting among opposition MPs, weakening the opposition’s collective strength and effectiveness.
“The amendment could fragment the opposition, making it harder to present a united front against the ruling party. Lumu is opening a door for the ruling party to penetrate the opposition easily and giving an avenue for it to influence the outcome of the elections,” Kikonyogo said.
On Thursday, August 29, 2024, during the Northern regional parliamentary sittings in Gulu city, Richard Lumu, the MP of Mityana South Constituency (DP), moved a motion seeking to make the position of Leader of the Opposition elective.
However, Fred Mukasa Mbidde, the Vice President of the Democratic Party (DP), has disowned Lumu’s bill, stating that although he is from the DP, it is noteworthy that his bill on electing the LOP does not originate from the Democratic Party.
On the contrary, according to Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, it is okay to vote for the LOP and opposition chief whip, but the same thing should happen to the leader of government business and government chief whip.
The controversial bill has since attracted comments from different political analysts in the media, where some have maintained that the bill is set to promote democracy while others have stressed that it’s a blank cheque to the NRM party to antagonize the opposition.
