Upon assuming the position of Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP) last Friday, Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi is set to enjoy various privileges. These include government-paid security guards, a lead car, a fully-equipped office with staff, and special allowances.
Appointed by the National Unity Platform party president, Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), Ssenyonyi replaces Mathias Mpuuga as the LOP, who has now been named a commissioner of Parliament.
Click here to join our WhatsApp group and receive daily news.
In his new role, Ssenyonyi will manage an annual budget of sh2.7b and will be entitled to state facilities and privileges similar to those granted to a cabinet minister.
The sh2.7b allocated to the LOP’s office is part of the Parliament budget and is used to run a ‘Shadow Cabinet,’ overseeing government departments. This budget also covers expenses related to opposition MPs’ trips, among other things.
The Shadow Cabinet, chosen by the LOP, monitors the activities of government departments. With the LOP’s office elevated to a department at the beginning of the 10th Parliament, it gained a larger budget and additional job opportunities. While some positions are filled by technical parliamentary staff, the LOP has significant flexibility to hire political staff on contractual terms.
Additionally, the LOP holds a crucial role as a member of the Parliamentary Commission, a top decision-making body that includes the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and four backbench commissioners. The term of office for the four backbench commissioners is two and a half years. Mpuuga, who succeeded Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, assumed the LOP position on May 28, 2021.
Posts
.jpeg)
0 Comments