The National Unity Platform president, Robert Kyagulanyi, has replaced Mathias Mpuuga with Nakawa West Member of Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi as the new Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP) for two and a half years.

While addressing members of the press on December 22, 2023, at the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule, party Secretary General Lewis Rubongoya confirmed the development and other changes.

In his acceptance speech, Ssenyonyi said that he is happy with the position but worried about the responsibilities that come with it.

“I feel so happy about the appointment yet scared because of the task ahead of me. Mathias has been in parliament for three terms, and for me, this is my first term, which means that the task ahead is still big,“ Ssenyonyi said.

Ssenyonyi further promised to work with everybody in parliament, irrespective of the political party they belong to.

“I pledge to work with all members of parliament and not just National Unity Platform members, and I promise to be a servant leader. I ask that we all work together as a parliament. I promise to push for change in all aspects,” Ssenyonyi added.

The National Unity Platform party president, Robert Kyagulanyi, praised and thanked the outgoing Leader of Opposition, Mathias Mpuuga, for having performed better than all the past leaders of the opposition.

“We thank Mpuuga for being a very resilient and honest leader; this is not a firing or a demotion but a moral change. We want to empower and groom young leaders as NUP,” Kyagulanyi stated.

“To Joel Ssenyonyi, you are justified to worry about the new position because you are surely fitting into bigger shoes but yet surrounded by people who are resourceful and love to make you do better,” Kyagulanyi added.

The other changes saw Mpuuga become commissioner of parliament, Medard Ssegona become head of COSASE, Ronald Balimwezo in charge of Kampala, Francis Zaake in charge of the presidency, Ssemujju Nganda as head of finance, and Shamim Malende in charge of human rights.