Ingrid Turinawe Warns Opposition About Potential Takeover of LOP Position by the NRM if They don’t Pull Up Their Socks

By Aggrey Buluba

Political temperatures in Uganda are rising once again, and this time, it’s not just the heat of the tropical sun. Ingrid Turinawe, a well known critic of President Museveni’s government, has sounded a warning bell, claiming that Uganda’s opposition is on the brink of an unprecedented takeover by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

Turinawe’s sharp remarks come in the wake of growing speculation about the position of Leader of Opposition (LOP) in Parliament, currently held by Joel Ssenyonyi of the National Unity Platform (NUP). “Some people think elections for the LOP are just about NUP and Joel Ssenyonyi,” she said with a hint of irony. “But this is exactly how it started with the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) representation. Today, all nine EALA MPs are NRM, and soon, the LOP will be NRM too.”

Turinawe’s warning centers around a controversial bill introduced by DP’s Richard Lumu, which she claims is a calculated attempt to weaken opposition leadership. “This isn’t just a personal attack on Honorable Joel Ssenyonyi or his party, NUP. If this bill is allowed to pass, it will open the door for an NRM member to become the Leader of Opposition,” she argued, painting a vivid picture of a slippery slope that could see opposition voices silenced altogether.

For those who remember the EALA elections, Turinawe’s fears aren’t far-fetched. The nine representatives elected to EALA from Uganda are now all from the NRM, a fact that Turinawe believes should serve as a cautionary tale since It started slowly, with little opposition resistance, and now look where we are,she said! The same fate could befall the LOP position if opposition MPs “sit back and watch.”

This adds fuel to an already blazing fire. Will the opposition heed Turinawe’s warning and rally against Lumu’s bill? Or will the NRM succeed in tightening its grip over yet another key position in Parliament?

Stay tuned and watch the space!