Opposition Unites Behind NUP's Paul Mwiru for Speaker

In a significant display of opposition unity, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has announced its support for Paul Mwiru, the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) candidate in the upcoming race for Speaker of Parliament.

This endorsement positions Mwiru, the Member of Parliament for Jinja South East, as the primary opposition contender against Jacob Oboth-Oboth, the nominee from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). The race also includes Norbert Mao, president general of the Democratic Party (DP).

Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, FDC’s vice president for northern Uganda, stated that the party’s decision was driven by Mwiru’s alignment with FDC’s core principles regarding constitutionalism, accountability, and the independence of Parliament. “If Parliament is led by someone from the Opposition, it becomes harder for the Executive to manipulate the institution,” Fungaroo explained.

Fungaroo also voiced concerns about the growing influence of the Executive over parliamentary proceedings, warning that the legislative body risks losing its autonomy. This concern was amplified during a recent FDC party retreat, where members emphasized the need for stronger cooperation among opposition parties.

Despite the opposition’s unified front, the NRM holds a significant numerical advantage in Parliament. The ruling party commands approximately 372 Members of Parliament, with an additional 68 independents often aligning with the government. In contrast, opposition parties hold considerably fewer seats, with NUP having 48 MPs, UPC 12, FDC nine, DP six, PFF two, and ANT one.

Mwiru, a former FDC member before joining NUP, has centered his campaign on restoring Parliament’s credibility and enhancing its oversight capabilities. He has criticized the outgoing Parliament for what he described as wasteful spending, a decline in accountability, and an erosion of public trust, vowing to bring back integrity to the institution.

In the race for Deputy Speaker, Asinasi Nyakato of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) remains the sole opposition candidate. Several NRM aspirants have reportedly withdrawn in favor of the incumbent, Thomas Tayebwa. Nyakato has pledged to uphold Parliament’s constitutional independence, citing instances where legislative decisions appeared swayed by external forces or party positions over public or stakeholder objections, such as with the National Coffee (Amendment) Bill and the Protection of Sovereignty Bill.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)