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By Spy Uganda
The National Unity Platform (NUP), Uganda’s largest opposition party in Parliament, has unveiled a new shadow cabinet and parliamentary leadership lineup, retaining several key figures while assigning fresh roles aimed at strengthening oversight of government programs and expenditure.
The appointments, released on Thursday afternoon by the opposition leadership in Parliament, reaffirmed Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi as Leader of the Opposition (LOP), a position he has held since 2023. Hon. Paul Mwiru was appointed Chief Opposition Whip, while Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe retained his role as a Commissioner of Parliament.
The new lineup places NUP legislators at the center of the opposition’s parliamentary strategy ahead of what observers expect to be an increasingly competitive political period.
Among the most influential committee appointments, Hon. Patrick Nsamba Oshabe was named Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), one of Parliament’s key accountability committees responsible for scrutinizing government expenditure and audit reports. Hon. Sarah Lwansasula was appointed Vice Chairperson of the committee.
Hon. Francis Zaake was named Chairperson of the Government Assurances Committee, deputized by Hon. Adeke Anna Ebaju, while Mukono Municipality MP Hon. Betty Nambooze was appointed Chairperson of the Local Government Accounts Committee.
The opposition also retained control of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), with Hon. Nkuyingi Muwadda appointed Chairperson and Hon. George Musisi serving as Vice Chairperson.
In the new shadow cabinet, Kayunga District Woman Representative Hon. Harriet Nakwedde was appointed Deputy Chief Opposition Whip and Shadow Minister for the Presidency. Hon. Abdullah Kiwanuka took over the Justice and Constitutional Affairs docket, while Hon. Dr. Timothy Lusala Batuwa was named Shadow Minister for Health.
Former television journalist and legislator Hon. Zambali Bulasio was appointed Shadow Minister for Sports, while other lawmakers were assigned portfolios covering finance, trade, agriculture, education, foreign affairs, internal affairs, energy, and public service.
The opposition lineup also reflected broader inter-party cooperation, with representation drawn from other opposition political formations including 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).
Political analysts say the appointments are intended to strengthen the opposition’s capacity to provide policy alternatives and intensify scrutiny of government performance inside Parliament.
Under Uganda’s parliamentary system, the shadow cabinet mirrors government ministries and is tasked with monitoring, critiquing, and proposing alternative policies to those advanced by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.
The new appointments come at a time when opposition parties continue to push for greater accountability, transparency, and reforms in governance, public finance management, and service delivery.
Key Parliamentary Leadership Positions
Leader of the Opposition: Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi
Chief Opposition Whip: Hon. Paul Mwiru
Deputy Chief Opposition Whip: Hon. Harriet Nakwedde
Commissioner of Parliament: Hon. John Baptist Nambeshe
Key Committee Appointments
Public Accounts Committee Chairperson: Hon. Patrick Nsamba Oshabe
COSASE Chairperson: Hon. Nkuyingi Muwadda
Government Assurances Committee Chairperson: Hon. Francis Zaake
Local Government Accounts Committee Chairperson: Hon. Betty Nambooze
Selected Shadow Cabinet Appointments
Hon. Harriet Nakwedde — Presidency
Hon. Abdullah Kiwanuka — Justice and Constitutional Affairs
Hon. Dr. Timothy Lusala Batuwa — Health
Hon. Zambali Bulasio — Sports
Hon. Ssebina Gyaviira — Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Hon. Kaluya Andrew Kiiza — Education
Hon. Asinansi Nyakato — Works and Transport
Hon. Kuteesa Patrick — Agriculture
Hon. Jamal Mukuve — Water and Environment
Hon. Hussein Muyonjo — Culture and Performing Arts
The opposition said the new structure is expected to guide its legislative and oversight agenda as Parliament resumes debates on major national policy issues, government spending priorities, and accountability matters.
, https://www.spyuganda.com/ssenyonyi-retained-as-lop-nup-unveils-new-shadow-cabinet/
