Opposition leaders in Parliament have announced a new shadow cabinet, retaining Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi as Leader of Opposition (LoP).
The reshuffle sees former Jinja East MP Paul Mwiru appointed as Opposition Chief Whip, with Harriet Nakweede as his deputy.
Muwanga Kivumbi, an ally of former LoP Mathias Mpuuga, was left out of the top leadership positions as the opposition restructured its key accountability committees.
Key appointments include:
- Nkunyingi Muwada – Chairperson, Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), deputised by George Musisi
- Betty Nambooze – Chairperson, Local Government Accounts Committee, deputised by Nasser Mudyobole
- Francis Zaake – Chairperson, Government Assurances Committee, deputised by Anna Adeke
- Patrick Nsamba Oshabe – Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee (PAC), deputised by Sarah Lwasansula
- John Baptist Nambeshe – Parliamentary Commissioner
The appointments come as the opposition, largely dominated by the National Unity Platform (NUP), seeks to strengthen its oversight role in the 12th Parliament amid growing political activity in the country.
The office of the Leader of Opposition is established under Article 82A of the Constitution.
The LoP is responsible for coordinating opposition activities, appointing members to the shadow cabinet, and assigning roles in accountability committees.
Ssenyonyi assumed the LoP position in 2024 after Mathias Mpuuga stepped down.
He is credited by his supporters for his aggressive push on accountability matters, particularly during his earlier tenure as chairperson of the COSASE committee.
