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The Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has implored the new Leader of the Opposition (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi, not to be a disruptive force in the House.

She made the appeal at the beginning of the plenary session on Tuesday after formally announcing Ssenyonyi, who is also the Nakawa West MP, as the new LOP.

Ssenyonyi, replaced the Nyendo-Mukungwe MP, Mathias Mpuuga, who was on December 22, 2023, named commissioner of Parliament by the main Opposition party, National Unity Platform (NUP).

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“I congratulate you upon ascending to the position of the Leader of the Opposition and I wish you a productive tenure as LOP. As the Leader of the Opposition, I urge you to build upon the works of your predecessor, honourable Mpuuga. Let us be incremental in our service to the people but not disruptive,” the Speaker told the 36-year-old journalist-turned politician.

In so doing, Among urged the new LOP to address his mind to Rule 14, especially 13 (3) which requires the LOP to hold regular consultations with the Leader of Government Business and the Speaker.

To be closely watched

Ssenyonyi, who has previously clashed with the Speaker over his modus operandi as chairman of the parliamentary committee on commissions, statutory authorities and state enterprises, will be closely watched to see whether he will take the militant, almost violent approach to Opposition politics because his predecessor (Mpuuga) was accused of playing soft politics by radical members of NUP.

Questions about, especially on whether he will succeed in shepherding the Opposition towards coalescing and also navigate the intricate political dynamics and effectively represent the collective Opposition’s interests.

His leadership will be tested when the Government starts presenting controversial Bills, especially on land and constitutional amendment.

Government-paid security guards, a lead car, a fully-fledged office with staff and special allowances are some of the perks that Ssenyonyi will enjoy as LOP. He will also control a sh2.7b budget annually and be entitled to state facilities and privileges that are granted to a cabinet minister.

The sh2.7b, which is given to the LOP’s office as part of the Parliament budget, runs a ‘Shadow Cabinet’ and also covers trips for opposition MPs, among others.