Mixed public reactions over Ssenyonyi appointment

It dawned to the public yesterday that the Nakawa West legislator Hon Joel Ssenyonyi will complete the remaining term of 2 and half years as the Leader of Opposition (LOP).

The 37-year old was appointed by his party to replace Hon Mathias Mpuuga who had served since 2021.

However, the move raised a lot of public reactions with some members of the public accusing NUP President Hon Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu of being nepotistic and tribalistic.

“How will Bobi Wine (a Muganda) convince ALERT Ugandans that he’s not tribalistic for replacing Mpuuga (a Muganda) with Ssenyonyi (a Muganda) and replacing Zaake (a Muganda) with Mpuuga yet M7 replaced Bagyenda with Oluka and Kayihura with Ochola.. Ugandans must learn to read between the lines,” wrote a one Kampala Legend on X.

On several occasions Kyagulanyi has accused President Museveni of being nepotistic and tribalistic in nature by allegedly appointing mostly people from the western region, where he hails from, of the country in big government positions.

Some members of the public reacted angrily and reasoned that for the sake of gender balance, Bobi Wine should have appointed a woman.

While others noted that Ssenyonyi was not deserving of the position given other senior leaders in the party like Hon Nambeshe, Hon Betty Nambooze and Hon Medard Ssegona among others.

The Leader of the Opposition appoints and heads an alternative shadow cabinet whose duty is to check, challenge and influence government actions and legislation on the floor of Parliament.

The position of the leader of Opposition in parliament is equivalent to that of a Cabinet minister in government and as such, is entitled to similar benefits and privileges of a cabinet minister.