Nakawa West Member of Parliament, Joel Besekezi Ssenyonyi, has retained his position as Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the 12th Parliament as the opposition political parties unveiled a new shadow cabinet.
The National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s leading opposition party with the biggest number of opposition Members of Parliament, has announced a new shadow cabinet alongside key parliamentary leadership and committee positions.
The appointments, released by the opposition leadership in Parliament, are aimed at strengthening oversight, accountability and policy alternatives to government programs.
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, retained his position while several MPs from NUP and other opposition political parties were assigned different shadow ministerial portfolios and parliamentary committee roles.
Among the notable appointments, Hon. Harriet Nakwedde was named Deputy Chief Opposition Whip and Shadow Minister for Presidency, while Hon. Abdullah Kiwanuka took the Justice and Constitutional Affairs docket. Hon. Dr. Timothy Lusala Batuwa was appointed Shadow Minister for Health and Hon. Zambali Bulasio was named Shadow Minister for Sports.
The shadow cabinet also includes representatives from other opposition parties such as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Democratic Party (DP), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), reflecting broader opposition cooperation in Parliament.
Parliamentary Leadership and Committee Positions
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament – Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi (Nagawa West)
Chief Opposition Whip – Hon. Paul Mwiru (Jinja South Division East)
Deputy Chief Opposition Whip – Hon. Harriet Nakwedde (Kayunga DWR)
Commissioner of Parliament – Hon. Nambeshe John Baptiste (Manjiya County)
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee – Hon. Nsamba Patrick Oshabe (Kassanda County North)
Vice Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee – Hon. Sarah Lwansasula (Jinja City WR)
Chairperson, COSASE – Hon. Nkuyingi Muwadda (Kyadondo County East)
Vice Chairperson, COSASE – Hon. George Musisi (Kira Municipality)
Chairperson, Government Assurances Committee – Hon. Zaake Francis Butebi (Mityana Municipality)
Vice Chairperson, Government Assurances Committee – Hon. Adeke Anna Ebaju (Soroti DWR)
Chairperson, Local Government Accounts Committee – Hon. Nambooze Betty Bakireke (Mukono Municipality)
Vice Chairperson, Local Government Accounts Committee – Hon. Abed Nasser Mudiobole (Iganga Municipality)
Pan-African Parliament Representative – Hon. Kalwanga David Lukyamuzi (Busujju County)
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Representative – Hon. Nantongo Fortunate Rose (Kyotera DWR)
Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States Representative – Hon. Hassan Kirumira (Katikamu County South)
Inter-Parliamentary Union Representative – Hon. Nabukenya Brenda (Luwero DWR)
Caribbean-EU Parliamentary Assembly – Hon. Namutaawe Joan (Masaka DWR)
Full Shadow Cabinet
Hon. Harriet Nakwedde – Presidency
Hon. Karim Masaba – Cooperatives and Microfinance
Hon. Sewungu Gonzaga – Defence and Veteran Affairs
Hon. Sheila Amanyo – Information and Anti-Corruption
Hon. Dr. Eunice Apio Otuko – Science, Innovation and Technology
Hon. Kasule Ismail – Trade and Industry
Hon. Okello Patrick Onguti – Local Government
Hon. Ssebina Gyaviira – Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Hon. Tebandeke Charles – Animal Industry and Fisheries
Hon. Alobo Joan Acom – Foreign Affairs
Hon. Sumayah Nabawanuka – Lands, Housing and Urban Development
Hon. Lukanga Moses Musanje – Energy and Minerals
Hon. Kaluya Andrew Kiiza – Education
Hon. Kiiza Hakim – East African Community Affairs
Hon. Jimmy Kanaabi – Public Service
Hon. Dr. Timothy Lusala Batuwa – Health
Hon. Sekabira Denis – Internal Affairs
Hon. Naluyima Betty – Gender, Labour and Social Development
Hon. Robert Maseruka – Youth and Children Affairs
Hon. Fred Jalameso – Tourism and Wildlife
Hon. Jamal Mukuve – Water and Environment
Hon. Kuteesa Patrick – Agriculture
Hon. Okot Peter – Special Regions
Hon. Kaps Fungaroo – Human Rights
Hon. Abdullah Kiwanuka – Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Hon. Zahara Luyirika – Kampala Capital City Authority
Hon. Asinansi Nyakato – Works and Transport
Hon. Zambali Bulasio – Sports
Hon. Hussein Muyonjo – Culture and Performing Arts
Hon. Luyimbazi Nalukoola – Attorney General
The new appointments are expected to shape opposition strategy in Parliament as legislators intensify scrutiny of government programs, expenditure and policy implementation.
