Politics
Administration of Parliament Bill gazetted, proposes joint opposition vote for LOP
The proposed legislation introduces a sweeping legal shift that seeks to alter the current process of appointing the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP).
Administration of Parliament Bill gazetted, proposes joint opposition vote for LOP
By: Nelson Mandela Muhoozi, Journalist @New Vision
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The Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been officially gazetted in the Uganda Gazette, Volume CXIX, number 95.
The development could mark a significant step toward reforming how the country’s legislative opposition leadership is selected.
The proposed legislation introduces a sweeping legal shift that seeks to alter the current process of appointing the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament (LOP).
Key details of the Bill include the universal opposition election. Under the proposed amendments, the LOP would no longer be solely appointed by the party with the greatest numerical strength in Parliament.
Key details of the Bill include the universal opposition election. Under the proposed amendments, the LOP would no longer be solely appointed by the party with the greatest numerical strength in Parliament.
Instead, the LOP would be elected democratically by members across all opposition political parties represented in the House.
Addressing the motion brought forward by members of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), key figures recently weighed in on the implications of the bill.
Emmanuel Dombo, the Director of Publicity for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, expressed strong support for the direction of the bill, arguing that the office of the LOP has often misunderstood its mandate.
He noted: “I have repeatedly heard the members of the National Unity Platform, including their leaders, saying Parliament is a front for regime change. Now once you make Parliament a front for regime change, then the role of the Leader of the Opposition changes... We are not saying we don't want opposition; no, we want opposition, but can they behave in a constructive way?”
Addressing the motion brought forward by members of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), key figures recently weighed in on the implications of the bill.
Emmanuel Dombo, the Director of Publicity for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, expressed strong support for the direction of the bill, arguing that the office of the LOP has often misunderstood its mandate.
He noted: “I have repeatedly heard the members of the National Unity Platform, including their leaders, saying Parliament is a front for regime change. Now once you make Parliament a front for regime change, then the role of the Leader of the Opposition changes... We are not saying we don't want opposition; no, we want opposition, but can they behave in a constructive way?”