KAMPALA — Joel Ssenyonyi, the outgoing Leader of the Opposition in Uganda’s 11th Parliament, has officially handed over all property attached to the Office of the Leader of Opposition following his swearing-in to the 12th Parliament.
Speaking shortly after taking the oath on Friday, Ssenyonyi handed over the official vehicle, office, and security detail attached to the position to the Director in charge of the Office of the Leader of Opposition at Parliament.
“After taking oath for the 12th Parliament, I can’t purport that I am the Leader of Opposition anymore because the new Parliament has no leadership as of now,” Ssenyonyi said during the handover ceremony.
He further directed the office director to transfer all the property to the Clerk to Parliament and requested that the office continue supporting whoever will be appointed to assume the position.
Ssenyonyi assumed office as Leader of Opposition on January 10, 2023, replacing Mathias Mpuuga, who had served in the role since 2021.
The position of Leader of Opposition is established under Section 6(b) of the Administration of Parliament Act (Cap. 257). The officeholder is elected internally by the opposition party with the highest number of seats in Parliament.
The Leader of Opposition is also responsible for appointing and chairing the shadow cabinet, which scrutinises government policies, proposes alternative positions, and influences legislation debated on the floor of Parliament.
With the National Unity Platform holding the largest number of opposition legislators in the 11th Parliament, the party is expected to appoint the next Leader of Opposition for the 12th Parliament.
