A number of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) members have reacted discontentedly to the appointment of the Kasese Woman Member of Parliament Hon Winnie Kiiza as Parliamentary Leader of Opposition.
A group of FDC members from the Northern region led by the party Secretary for Regional and International Affairs, Innocent Ayo told ChimpReports on Thursday that the appointment of Kizza was not representative enough.
“We are disappointed in the appointment of LOP in the names of Winnie Kizza who comes from the Western region; this appointment doesn’t reflect the national character given the fact that the party top leadership is in the hands of people from the same region,” noted Ayo.
He said that his group came to the party headquarters with hopes that their very own Cecilia Ogwal would be awarded the coveted office.
Ogwal who joined FDC in 2010 from Uganda People’s Congress was handed a smaller Parliamentary Commissioner’s office by the FDC NEC.
“We were hoping for equity and balance; as a party that is aspiring to take power and bring change, such things as fair representation should not be disregarded,” he said.
“If the appointment was a token of appreciation for the support she earned for the party in Kasese, we also have so much to show in Northern Uganda.”
Ayo further complained that all the members that were appointed are all senior party leaders who are currently holding top positions and that giving them more work is ineffective.
“Roles need to be distributed; Kizza is the Chairperson of the Women League, an MP and now a LOP, Ssemujju is the party spokesperson and now a chief whip; there are other people that would be more capable.”
Responding to these concerns however, the party President, Gen. Mugisha Muntu noted that one shouldn’t raise the question of regional parity before all positions in Parliament are filled.
“Whoever raises the question of parity, it seems has just dropped in Uganda, this is not our first time to appoint the leader of opposition and record has it that many members from different regions have served in this position,” Muntu said.
In the 8th Parliament, Agago County Member of Parliament, Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo served as the Leader of Opposition in Parliament on FDC ticket.