Speaker of Parliament Rt.Hon Anita Annet Among temporarily halted the consideration of the Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill, 2024, which proposes the election of the Leader of Opposition, due to the absence of the bill’s sponsor, Richard Lumu (Mityana South), at the plenary session on Wednesday 6th November 2024.

“The Bill was tabled by a Private Member, and I find it prudent to pass it when the member is present to move his motion,” Among stated.

The Speaker’s decision sparked mixed reactions. Stephen Baka, Chairperson of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, which reviewed the bill, acknowledged that parliamentary rules do not prevent proceedings in Lumu’s absence. However, he agreed that any MP standing in for Lumu would need sufficient preparation.

“Under the Rules, any MP can represent a Private Member, especially if they share the same stance on the bill. But even that member would need time to prepare, so I concur with you,” Baka stated.

Fox Odoi (West Budama Northeast) disagreed with the Speaker, citing past instances where MPs stood in for absent colleagues to present bills. He pointed to a precedent in the 9th Parliament, where Wilfred Niwagaba’s Prohibition and Prevention of Torture Act was presented in his absence, allowing it to pass.

Odoi argued, “In the 9th Parliament, I presented Niwagaba’s bill, and it passed without him being present. So, there’s no rule barring us from proceeding on this matter, which is critical for the democratization of this institution. We are ready to proceed whenever you are.”

Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang then asked Odoi if he would be willing to stand in for Lumu, remarking, “Since you previously stood in for Niwagaba, could I seek clarification on whether you are ready to proceed with Lumu’s bill?”

The Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill, 2024, introduced by Lumu in October, has sparked significant debate. Dubbed the “Lumu Bill,” it calls for an electoral process for selecting the Leader of Opposition, a position currently appointed by the Opposition party. The bill also proposes similar elections for the Opposition Chief Whip and seeks parliamentary vetting for Shadow Ministers and Committee Chairpersons. Additionally, Lumu suggests increasing the Parliamentary Commission’s membership to accommodate smaller opposition parties, which he argues are currently marginalized.

However, stakeholders appearing before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee opposed the bill’s proposals. They warned that electing the Leader of Opposition could weaken the opposition bloc and foster internal divisions, urging the retention of the existing appointment-based system.(parliamentwatchuganda)