The Democratic Party Vice President Mukasa Mbidde has said that as a party, DP will not have anything to do with Hon. Richard Lumu’s proposal of having amendments that will see the Leader of Opposition being elected by opposition Members of Parliament.

While addressing a press conference at the DP offices on Balintuma Road on September 17, 2024, Mbidde said that DP continues to distance themselves from Lumu’s proposals and their personal wishes.

“About honorable Lumu, the general rule is that whatever is not expressly stated is impliedly excluded; the Democratic Party has not stated at all that we are behind him on his endeavors, and the Democratic Party will not escort honorable Lumu on that voyage, and we are at a stage beyond which i cannot promise him anything good from the Democratic Party,” Mbidde said.

Mbidde insisted that in multiparty democracy, whoever comes first in an election forms the government, and the party that comes second gets the Leader of Opposition.

“Lumu came here and met us as party members and leaders, but we didn’t understand exactly what he was saying. We suggest that Lumu should abandon these amendment proposals because at this time we are not thinking of taking leadership from someone who rightfully fought for it; you don’t wait for someone to win and then you want to take away his victory,” Mbidde added.

Mbidde also explained that the Leader of Opposition is at the level of a minister, and they have never seen NRM voting its ministers.

“Then why do you want the opposition to vote for the Leader of Opposition? ” he questioned.

DP Member of Parliament for Mityana South Richard Lumu, during the regional parliamentary sitting in Gulu on Thursday, August 29, 2024, expressed his concerns, questioning why certain democratic principles apply to other leadership roles but not to the opposition’s key figures.

Lumu suggested the Leader of Opposition in Parliament be voted by all opposition members in parliament and also suggested that the independent members of parliament are allowed an independent whip, whose proposals have all been denied by fellow DP leaders.

DP Secretary General Gerald Siranda, who represents DP at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), said that in such a multiparty political dispensation, you can only have all opposition leaders voting for a leader of opposition if you have a coalition in opposition.

“I’ll give you an example of Kenya and Ghana; the reason why they have a leader of opposition elected by all opposition members is because they have a coalition with the opposition, unlike in Uganda, where every party goes into an election as a single party and works alone,” Siranda said.

Lumu, who has consulted most of the political parties, has already received feedback about his proposed amendments and has vowed to push on with his consultation.

“I have already visited UPC, Jeema, and DP, and even when some recommendations were not welcome, I have received feedback on what could be added and what is not necessary. I have written to NUP, and I am waiting for their response, and I will go and explain to them and ask for their support to push these amendments,” Lumu said.

Lumu was granted leave from parliament and given time to consult more about his intended proposed amendments. He is yet to table the bill before the floor of parliament for hearing, and once it is passed, it will have a big implication on the administration parliament as it will tackle the issues of the Leader of Opposition, Chief Whips, and Commissioners of Parliament.