Opposition political party, National Unity Platform (NUP) has appointed Nyendo Mukungwe lawmaker, Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of Opposition in the 11th Parliament.
The announcement has been made by David Lewis Rubongoya, the NUP Secretary General after a meeting at the party’s Secretariat in Kamwokya.
NUP, a new political party in Uganda emerged as the most dominant opposition political party after winning 61 parliamentary seats in the January 14 presidential and parliamentary elections, effectively meaning that it’s the party to provide opposition leadership in parliament.
Mpuuga, a Lawyer and Teacher by profession, formerly a Democratic Party (DP) member, joined the NUP in 2020 led by Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, together with 10 other DP Bloc members.
He has been a member of parliament representing Masaka Municipality since 2011 having served in Buganda Kingdom as a minister. He has also passionately talked about the need for political change in Uganda and has participated in several opposition activities in the country including the infamous ‘Walk to Work’ protests.
He now replaces Betty Aol Ocan of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Today’s meeting at Kamwokya has also seen Manjiya Country MP, John Baptist Nambeshe appointed as the opposition Chief Whip replacing Kira Municipality MP Ssemujju Ibrahim Ssemujju. Nambeshe officially joined NUP in August last year after leaving the ruling party, National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“The National Unity Platform has consistently informed the nation that it will take all leadership positions available to it and use them to advance the struggle for freedom and democracy in Uganda,” Rubongoya said on Friday while unveiling the new leaders of the opposition in Parliament.
Nambeshe will be deputized by Jinja Woman MP, Kyebakutika Manjeri.
Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Butebi Zaake is now a Commissioner of Parliament. The Public Accounts Committee will be led by Busiro East MP Medard Lubega Ssegona and deputized by Bugiri Municipality lawmaker, Asuman Basalirwa.
The party spokesperson, Joel Ssenyonyi who also doubles as the Nakawa West MP is the new Chairperson of Committee of Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase). He will be deputized by Lucy Akello (Woman MP Amuru District).
Government Assurances Committee will be chaired by Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze Bakireke and deputized by Joseph Ssewungu from Kalungu West.
Former Gulu District Chairperson, Ojara Martin Mapenduzi who represents Bardeg-Layibi county will head Local Government Accounts Committee and deputized by Nakaseke South MP Luttamaguzi Ssemakula from the Democratic Party.
Kassanda North MP, Patrick Nsamba Oshabe was sent to the Pan-african Parliament (PAP) where he together with other four Uganda’s representatives, was sworn-in on Thursday in South Africa.
Busujju County legislator, David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga has been sent to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
The head of the Women’s league in the party and Kassanda District Woman MP, Flavia Kalule Nabagabe will represent Uganda in the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Aisha Kabanda, the Butambala District Woman MP will sit on the Parliamentary Pension Fund.
The party has also seconded Jolly Mugisha, the NUP deputy President for Western Region to the National Consultative Forum (NCF) as its deputy Chairperson.
