Why Leader of Opposition Was Sacked

By Our Reporter

KAMPALA – Nakawa West Member of Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi has replaced Mathias Mpuuga as the Leader of the Opposition, amidst doubting voices on whether the shoes are too big to fill. It is not clear why the National Unity Platform (NUP) party president Robert Kyagulanyi dropped Mpuuga.

The sacking follows a few days after President Yoweri Museveni’ recent remarks describing Mpuga as his man who should be re-elected. Political analysts have blamed President Museveni for ‘buying’ off opposition leaders and using security operatives to disorganize opposition political structures, a claim the National Resistance Movement, the ruling political party chaired by President Museveni has denied.

Speaking at the NUP party headquarters in Kampala, Mr Kyagulanyi down played the new appointments as not a demotion of Mpuuga but rather the party living to its spirit of changing leadership. He commended Mr Mpuuga for the job well-done amidst multiple challenges. 

“We thank you for the leadership in tough times, for the comradeship you have given to various leaders including myself. Thank you for the insistence to face seemingly insurmountable odds, thank you for being a punching bag for those who matter and those who don’t matter,” Kyagulanyi said.

Mpuuga, the MP for Nyendo-Mukungwe Division in Masaka city has now been appointed commissioner of parliament replacing Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake who has been appointed the shadow minister for the presidency and security and also deputy chief whip.  
Speaking after the announcement of the new changes, Mpuuga thanked Kyagulanyi for the opportunity to serve for two and a half years in the position. 

“Our journey is not a journey of positions, but rather a journey of making Uganda better. I want to invite all those who believe in a new and better Uganda to back the new team leader in parliament. Advise him; don’t backstab him, don’t downplay his effort. To the new team leader, you have my back,” Mpuuga said. 

In his acceptance speech Ssenyonyi has defended his appointment.

“People who say I am not fit for the job are missing the point. I’m not the most educated nor the most experienced among the opposition members. I might not even be the most deserving to be appointed Leader of Opposition, according to some people, but such is leadership. To those who doubted my capability as the new leader of the opposition, there is no shop where experience is bought. Instead, as long as you wholeheartedly take on the task, everything is possible.

Ssenyonyi thanked the party for the appointment and promised to do everything to fulfil his responsibilities.

“I’m not the most experienced, I’m not the most educated of that team, I might not even be the most deserving according to some people but, such is leadership. I look forward to working with all the teams in the opposition because we are more similar than we are different,” Ssenyonyi said. 

Nakawa East Member of Parliament Hon Balimwezo Ronald requested Mpuuga to guide.

“Every leader has their leadership style, Ssenyonyi, always seek advice where needed.”

 Hon. Charles Tebandeke Bbaale Member of Parliament also congratulate Mpuuga.

“He is one of the best Leaders of the Opposition Uganda has ever had. He has been exceptional, and we expect Ssenyonyi to be extraordinary,” he said.

 In an earlier interview, Mr. Godber Tumushabe, the Associate Director, Great Lakes Institute for Strategic Studies said, “I do pity Mpuga because he is working with a government with no structure that makes it difficult to operate normally.”

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