FDC seeks Leader of Opposition

KAMPALA - The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is holding meetings aimed at coming up with the Leader of Opposition in parliament.

The party is however still divided on whether its leader in parliament will be called a Leader of Opposition or another title like leader of minority or any other title since they still stick to the claim that they won 2016 presidential election.

Asked whether by naming a Leader of Opposition the party would not be shooting itself in the foot on the claim that Dr. Kizza Besigye won the 2016 presidential election, Nganda said, "The ruling party in the US has minority seats in parliament and its leader is called the leader of the minority. So, no matter what title we shall call that person, FDC will have a leader in parliament."

Complementing what Nganda had said, FDC secretary for mobilization Ingrid Turinawe said, "FDC is not in opposition. We won the presidential election and our candidate was sworn in as president of Uganda. Don't inject any other word in our mouth."

The speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has written to all political parties and directed them to ensure that they submit the names of the leaders of their parties in parliament by May 25, 2016.

As the FDC top leaders were busy meeting today to discuss the party leader in parliament, the NRM caucus leaders were also meeting with President Yoweri Museveni today on the next government chief whip.

It is these leaders of parties like the LOP and chief whips the speaker will use to constitute the appointments committee which will vet the new cabinet which is expected to be released by President Museveni any time from now.

Out of 417 parliamentary seats excluding the 10 army MPs, FDC won 37 seats, DP 15 seats, UPC 6 seats, NRM got 292 seats and the rest are independents.                

FDC insiders have revealed that former opposition chief whip and Kasese woman MP Winnie Kiiza and Dokolo woman MP Cecilia Ogwal are the predominantly discussed names for the position.

Others featuring in the discussions are Kiira MP  Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Bugweri MP Abdu Katuntu, Kasilo County MP Elijah Okupa, and Aswa MP Reagan Okumu.