The opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has retained Nakawa West Member of Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi as the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in Parliament.
The decision anchoring Ssenyonyi at the helm of opposition legislative business was announced during a high-stakes, charged event on Thursday at the party’s headquarters in Makerere-Kavule.
The announcement, delivered by NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, was witnessed by a packed audience of party officials, senior dignitaries, and legislators. The party leadership emphasized that the decision to maintain the status quo at the top reflects deep structural confidence in legislative stability, visibility, and robust oversight against the ruling government.
Key leadership and committee shifts
In a significant reshuffle aimed at optimizing legislative coordination, Rubongoya announced that Jinja South East MP Paul Mwiru has been appointed as the new Opposition Government Chief Whip. Mwiru will be deputized by Harriet Nakwedde.
The strategy behind retaining key personnel focused heavily on seasoned lawmakers. Manjiya County MP John Baptist Nambeshe is now he new commissioner of parliament received strong commendation from party leaders for his influential grassroots mobilization, particularly in eastern Uganda. Nambeshe has been heavily credited with organizing opposition members during parliamentary sessions, ensuring high attendance, and effectively guiding legislative strategy on major national policy debates.
The party also rolled out its leadership lineup for several accountability and standing committees:
- Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE): Nkunyingi Muwada was named chairperson, to be deputized by George Musisi.
- Public Accounts Committee (PAC): Patrick Nsamba Oshabe takes over as chairperson, with Sarah Rwasansula serving as deputy.
- Government Assurance Committee: Francis Zaake was appointed chairperson, deputized by Anna Adeke Ebaju.
- Local Government Committee: Veteran legislator Betty Nambooze will steer the committee as chairperson, with Abdul Nasser Mudiobole serving as her deputy.
On the international front, NUP deployed lawmakers to key transnational parliamentary assemblies. Joan Namutawe was designated to the Caribbean-EU Parliamentary Assembly, while Abubakar Kawalya takes a seat on the Parliamentary Pensions Scheme board. Brenda Nabukenya will represent the opposition at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Rose Fortunate Nantongo joins the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), and David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga heads to the Pan-African Parliament (PAP).
Continuity meets statutory mandate
Ssenyonyi, who has served as the LOP since January 2024, earned the reappointment following what NUP described as a stellar track record in uniting diverse opposition voices. Before becoming the head of the opposition in the House, Ssenyonyi chaired COSASE from 2021 to 2024, where he gained national prominence for leading high-profile investigations into public expenditure and accountability failures within government institutions.
Under Section 6A of the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Act, 2006, the party with the greatest numerical strength among the opposition benches is mandated to elect the Leader of the Opposition. In the current 12th Parliament, NUP commands the largest opposition presence with 48 legislators. The remaining opposition seats are shared among the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) with 12, the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) with 10, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) with 9, the Democratic Party (DP) with 6, the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) with 2, and the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) with 1. The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) maintains a dominant majority with 372 MPs, alongside 68 independent legislators.
A broad-based 30-member shadow cabinet
In line with Section 6E(2) of the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Act, 2006, which empowers the LOP to form a Shadow Cabinet mirroring the government ministries, Ssenyonyi unveiled a 30-member team. Notably, the list crosses party lines to include independents and members from alternative political organizations to forge a united front.
“This broad-based cabinet is technically positioned to keep the government in check, demand fiscal discipline, and offer alternative policy options for the country,” a senior party official noted during the launch.
The complete 30-member shadow cabinet lineup includes:
Minister Portfolio Party Affiliation
Ms. Harriet Nakwede Deputy Chief Opposition Whip & Presidency NUP
Mr. Karim Masaba Cooperatives and Microfinance Independent
Mr. Sewungu Gonzaga Defence and Veteran Affairs NUP
Ms. Sheila Amaniyo Information and Anti-Corruption NUP
Dr. Eunice Apio Otuko Science, Innovation and Technology UPC
Mr. Ismail Kasule Trade and Industry ANT
Mr. Patrick Okello Onguti Local Government DP
Mr. Ssebina Gyaviira Finance, Planning and Economic Development NUP
Mr. Charles Tebandeke Animal Industry and Fisheries NUP
Ms. Joan Alobo Acom Foreign Affairs FDC
Ms. Sumayah Nabawanuka Lands, Housing and Urban Development NUP
Ms. Moses Lukanga Musanje Energy and Minerals NUP
Mr. Andrew Kaluya Kiiza Education NUP
Mr. Hakim Kiiza East African Community Affairs NUP
Mr. Jimmy Kanaabi Public Service NUP
Dr. Timothy Lusala Batuwa Health NUP
Mr. Denis Sekabira Internal Affairs NUP
Ms. Naluyima Betty Gender, Labour and Social Development NUP
Mr. Robert Maseruka Youth and Children Affairs NUP
Mr. Fred Jalameso Tourism and Wildlife UPC
Hon. Jamal Mukuve Water and Environment Independent
Mr. Patrick Kuteesa Agriculture NUP
Mr. Peter Okot Special Regions DP
Mr. Kaps Fungaroo Human Rights FDC
Mr. Abdullah Kiwanuka Justice and Constitutional Affairs NUP
Ms. Zahara Luyirika Kampala Capital City Authority NUP
Mr. Asinansi Nyakato Works and Transport PFF
Mr. Zambali Bulasio Sports NUP
Mr. Hussein Muyonjo Culture and Performing Arts NUP
Mr. Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola Attorney General NUP
With parliamentary sessions intensifying, this newly consolidated team faces the immediate task of testing the ruling party’s legislative agenda, navigating the highly polarized numbers in the house, and keeping a close check on national expenditure.