By Gloria Gwitabinji,
The National Unity Platform has kept men in the top opposition leadership positions in Parliament, with Joel Ssenyonyi staying on as Leader of the Opposition, Paul Mwiru named Chief Opposition Whip, and John Baptist Nambeshe appointed Commissioner of Parliament.
The new line-up also brings in MPs from other opposition parties and the independent bench, in what NUP says is the team that will lead oversight work in Parliament.
Harriet Nakwedde, the Kayunga District Woman MP, has been appointed Deputy Chief Opposition Whip and Shadow Minister for the Presidency.
Among the non-NUP MPs named are Karim Masaba, an Independent, who will handle Cooperatives and Microfinance; Dr. Eunice Apio Otuko of UPC, who takes Science, Innovation and Technology; Ismail Kasule of ANT, who has been assigned Trade and Industry; Patrick Okello Onguti of DP, who takes Local Government; and Joan Acom Atobo of FDC, who has been named Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Fred Jalameso of UPC will handle Tourism and Wildlife, Peter Okot of DP takes Special Regions, Kaps Fungaroo of FDC has been assigned Human Rights, while Asinansi Nyakato of PFF takes Works and Transport.
NUP MPs take most of the shadow cabinet slots. Gonzaga Sewungu has been named Shadow Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Sheila Amaniyo takes Information and Anti-Corruption, Ssebina Gyaviira takes Finance, Planning and Economic Development, while Charles Tebandeke will handle Animal Industry and Fisheries.
Sumayah Nabawanuka has been appointed Shadow Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Moses Lukanga Musanje takes Energy and Minerals, Andrew Kaluya Kiiza takes Education, Hakim Kiiza takes East African Community Affairs, and Jimmy Kanaabi takes Public Service.
Dr. Timothy Lusala Batuwa has been named Shadow Minister for Health, Denis Sekabira takes Internal Affairs, Betty Naluyima takes Gender, Labour and Social Development, while Robert Maseruka will handle Youth and Children Affairs.
Jamal Mukuve has been assigned Water and Environment, Patrick Kuteesa takes Agriculture, Abdullah Kiwanuka takes Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Zahara Luyirika takes Kampala Capital City Authority, Zambali Bulasio takes Sports, Hussein Muyonjo takes Culture and Performing Arts, while Luyimbazi Nalukoola has been named Shadow Attorney General.
On committee leadership, Patrick Nsamba Oshabe has been appointed Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, deputised by Sarah Lwansasula.
Muwadda Nkunyingi will chair COSASE, with George Musisi as vice chairperson. Francis Zaake Butebi has been named Chairperson of the Government Assurances Committee, deputised by Anna Ebaju Adeke.
Betty Nambooze Bakireke will chair the Local Government Accounts Committee, with Abed Nasser Mudiobole as vice chairperson.
The opposition has also named David Lukyamuzi Kalwanga as its representative to the Pan-African Parliament, Fortunate Rose Nantongo to the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Hassan Kirumira to the Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States, Brenda Nabukenya to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Abubakar Kawalya to the Parliamentary Pension Scheme, and Joan Namutaawe to the Caribbean-EU Parliamentary Assembly.
