"If You Oppose Muhoozi’s Parliament Amendments, Then Surrender the Leader of Opposition Office," Ssebamala Tells Joel Ssenyonyi, Says NUP Has Always Claimed It Is Not Interested in Political Positions

Bukoto Central Member of Parliament Richard Ssebamala has challenged the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, and the entire National Unity Platform (NUP) leadership not to oppose the proposed amendments to the Administration of Parliament Act, arguing that the party should instead surrender the Office of the Leader of Opposition if it truly believes political offices are not its priority.

Speaking while commenting on the debate surrounding the proposed amendments backed by Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Ssebamala said NUP leaders have consistently maintained since 2017 that their struggle has never been about occupying government or parliamentary positions but about fighting President Museveni's administration.

According to Ssebamala, NUP should remain consistent with the message it has been preaching to Ugandans for years instead of resisting changes that could affect the opposition's parliamentary leadership.

"If your mission has never been about political offices, why are you now fighting so hard to protect the Office of the Leader of Opposition? You should simply surrender it and continue with the struggle you have always talked about," Ssebamala said.

The legislator further accused NUP of using the slogan that it was not interested in positions to politically weaken experienced opposition leaders whom he believes had built strong careers before the party's rise.

He cited former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, Busiro East MP Medard Lubega Ssegona, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and several other senior opposition figures, saying they became targets because NUP believed sidelining them would strengthen its path to State House.

Ssebamala also referred to the Kampala Lord Mayor race, where NUP fielded a candidate against Lukwago and eventually defeated him.

According to him, Lukwago's removal from the Lord Mayor's office weakened his political influence and exposed him to what he described as increased political persecution.

"NUP fronted a candidate who defeated Lukwago. If Lukwago had remained the Lord Mayor of Kampala, I believe he would not have been arrested the way he was later arrested," Ssebamala claimed.

His remarks come at a time when debate over the proposed amendments to the Administration of Parliament Act continues to divide political leaders, with supporters arguing the changes will improve parliamentary administration while critics warn they could undermine the role and independence of the opposition in Parliament.

The comments are expected to fuel fresh political debate as the country prepares for the next phase of discussions over the proposed legislation.