Mityana South MP, Richard Lumu, has come out swinging against claims that his Private Member’s Bill is being backed by the government or President, or that it’s a personal attack on Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi.
In a passionate address, Lumu emphasized that he and his fellow MPs were elected by their constituents to serve their interests, not to push personal or government agendas. “We are here to represent the people, not to advance our own interests,” he stressed.
Lumu’s Bill, which seeks to have opposition MPs elect their own leader, has sparked intense debate and controversy in Parliament. But Lumu insists that his motives are pure: “I want to see a stronger, more effective opposition that can hold the government to account.”
He also addressed claims that his Bill is a personal attack on Ssenyonyi, saying: “I’ve known Joel for only 2-3 years, and I have no grudges against him. If there are people fighting him, I’m not one of them.”
Lumu urged citizens to look beyond the noise and focus on the substance of the Bill. “Let’s not reduce this to a single person or motive. Let’s have a constructive conversation about how to improve our democracy.”
With his Bill set to be voted on in the coming weeks, Lumu’s clarification provides critical context to the debate. As the opposition leadership hangs in the balance, one thing is clear: Lumu is determined to see his vision for a stronger opposition become a reality.
