The Parliament, lawmakers have publicly criticized Speaker Anita Among and Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa for preferential treatment in the handling of private members’ bills.

The controversy arose after the swift passage of Richard Lumu’s bill, which some MPs argue highlights a troubling inconsistency in the legislative process.

Jonathan Odur, the MP for Erute South, voiced his concerns on the floor of parliament on October 1, 2024, about the criteria used by the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to prioritize certain bills over others.

He pointed out that over 19 pending bills have yet to be placed on the order paper, a stark contrast to Lumu’s bill, which was expedited in just one month.

“Our concern regards the impartiality of the Deputy Speaker, who has admitted to giving some members preferential treatment when seeking to amend bills,” Odur stated.

According to Odur, before Lumu’s proposal, many MPs had sought leave to move motions, yet their rights as private members were overlooked.

The debate intensified as Ibrahim Ssemujju, MP for Kira Municipality, criticized Lumu’s bill, arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for Uganda’s democracy.

He emphasized that disagreements within the opposition should not prompt legal changes that undermine their autonomy.

“Depriving a party in opposition of the right to choose their Leader of Opposition is unfair and could lead to troubling consequences. Today it’s the National Unity Platform in opposition; tomorrow it might be the NRM,” Ssemujju said.

Joining the debate, Nakaseke South MP Luttamaguzi Semakula questioned Lumu’s motives, suggesting that the Leader of Opposition has yet to engage with him effectively.

“Even up to now, the Leader of Opposition has been waiting to meet with Lumu, but he hasn’t been able to. Political parties have rejected his bill, so who is he really working for?” Semakula asserted, warning that Lumu’s current support may not shield him from future repercussions.

Richard Lumu, the Mityana South MP, tabled his controversial private member’s bill, dubbed the Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill 2024. The bill, among others, seeks to have the Leader of Opposition voted for, differing from the current practice where the party with the largest number of opposition MPs in parliament appoints the leader.