Katuntu and Okupa Secure Key Positions As Parliament Reshuffle

The Parliamentary Commission, established under Article 87A of the Constitution, has undergone significant changes, with Joel Ssenyonyi assuming the role of the Leader of the Opposition, succeeding Mathias Mpuuga.

This development was announced during the plenary sitting on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, by Speaker Anita Among.

Mpuuga, now serving as a backbench Commissioner representing the Opposition, joins the ranks of Solomon Silwany, Prossy Akampurira, and Esther Afoyochan, who retained their positions as backbench Commissioners representing the ruling National Resistance Movement Party. The reshuffle took place following formal presentations of office bearers’ names by the Government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua, and the Chief Opposition Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe.

Section 2 (2) of the Administration of Parliament Act outlines the composition of the Commission, the highest decision-making organ of the Legislature. It includes the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Government Business, Leader of the Opposition, the Minister responsible for Finance, and four Commissioners (Backbench Members of Parliament).

The Clerk to Parliament serves as the Secretary to the Commission, with responsibilities encompassing disciplinary control over staff and making recommendations on allowances and privileges for the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and Members of Parliament.

Speaker Anita Among also disclosed changes in representative roles, with Abdu Katuntu (Indep., Bugweri County) taking over from Eric Musana (Indep., Buyaga East County) as the representative of independents at the Pan African Parliament. Meanwhile, Elijah Okupa (Indep., Kasilo County) assumes a position as a member of the board of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).