Mityana South Member of Parliament, Richard Lumu, has announced plans to consult with the leadership of the National Unity Platform (NUP) on the proposed administration of Parliament Amendment Bill.
The bill, which Lumu is championing, seeks to change the process of selecting the Leader of Opposition (LoP) from an appointment by the main opposition party to an election by opposition MPs.
During a media interview at Parliament, Lumu disclosed that he had already consulted with the Uganda People's Congress (UPC), which opposed his proposal, favoring the current appointment system.
According to Lumu, UPC supports maintaining the current structure, diverging from his position of electing the LoP.
Lumu revealed that he has also reached out to NUP, the party with the majority of opposition seats in Parliament, and is awaiting confirmation for a meeting, which he hopes will take place on Friday.
Besides NUP, Lumu is engaging other political stakeholders.
A meeting with the Democratic Party (DP) has been rescheduled for September 11, while consultations with the People's Progressive Party (PPP) are expected tomorrow.
"I was at UPC, and they supported all seven of my proposals, but they suggested a slight modification on how the Leader of Opposition should be elected," Lumu said, noting that current law does not strictly mandate an appointment system.
Lumu further mentioned that the draft of the bill is complete, pending a Certificate of Financial Implication from the Ministry of Finance, a requirement before it can proceed to Parliament.
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Recently, Lumu received approval to introduce a private member's bill to amend the Administration of Parliament Act, which governs the election of parliamentary leaders.
His proposal has sparked significant debate, especially within NUP, which boycotted the parliamentary sitting in Gulu--one of four planned regional sittings.
Lumu clarified that the bill is not aimed at any individual but is intended to streamline parliamentary operations.
Key proposed changes include electing the Leader of Opposition by opposition MPs from the party with the most seats, choosing from three nominees provided by the party.
Currently, party leaders appoint the LoP. The bill also seeks to have the Chief Opposition Whip elected by all opposition MPs, to allow independent MPs to have a whip, and to ensure that a parliamentary commissioner comes from opposition parties other than the largest.
Additionally, the bill proposes that the Deputy Speaker be elected from the opposition and that the number of MPs required to censure the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Commissioners be reduced from two-thirds to 100.
One notable proposal is allowing a presidential candidate who secures at least 100,000 votes to automatically become an MP, a move that would significantly impact the structure and functioning of parliamentary leadership, especially within the opposition.
