By Kabuye Ronald
Following the National Unity platform reshuffle in its leadership in parliament by naming the new Leader of Opposition in Parliament LOP and other leaders in in the opposition cabinet after 2.5 years of their service, where Mathias Mpuuga who has been the Leader of Opposition has been replaced by new entrant Nakawa west legislator Joel Ssenyonyi who has been the COSASE committee chairperson and Mpuuga the legislator for Nyendo-Mukungwe in Masaka city being named commissioner of parliament replacing Hon Zaake Francis who has been appointed the Deputy Opposition Chief Whip and minister for security and presidency, both Mpuuga nad Ssenyonyi have spoken out.
In his acceptance speech Hon. Mpuuga thanked the party for the opportunity given to him to serve and the colleagues in Parliament with whom they have journeyed for the past two and half years, the media and the people who have supported him in all aspects before requesting them to back up his successor Ssenyonyi.
“Our Journey is not a journey of positions but making Uganda better and I want to invite those that believe in the new Uganda to back Hon. Ssenyonyi as our new LOP. Don’t undermine him, advise him do not backstab him, and work with him do not down play his image, sacrifice and effort.
To my new team leader you have my back and to my party the struggle continues and I will be available to back the new team leader and see a better Uganda” said Mpuuga.
Joel Ssenyonyi, the new Leader of Opposition in Parliament expressed gratitude to the party for entrusting him with the new task and believes that in addition to looking up to Mpuuga to guide him on how TO operate, God will help him execute the new responsibility efficiently.
“Am so glad that Hon. Mpuuga has offered to keep giving guidance to me and the rest of the team and of course I count on the party leadership and membership and the colleagues in parliament to be able to do this work. Am not the most experienced, educated and I might not be even the most deserving according to some people but such is leadership. I look forward to working with all the teams not only NUP where I come from but the other parties in the opposition to work together because we are more similar than we are different.” Said Ssenyonyi
He added that the task to Change Uganda is for every Ugandans who want a better country not only parliament or political parties leaders before giving his commitment that he will do his cardinal role of oversight.
In his speech Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine who is the NUP president laughed off those who doubted formidability and leadership of their party before thanking Hon. Mathias Mpuuga for the great work done.
“To you Rt. Hon. Mpuuga thank you for the leadership in tough times, for the comradeship and brotherhood, for the mentorship that you have given to various leaders including myself, for the insistence and bravery, for being a punching bag for so many people those who matter and don’t but consistently remained on the course of pursuing what we promised the country thank you. We know you’re not an angel and we don’t hope for an angel in you, we know not everything went perfect in your way but thank you for your resilience.
Whenever you meet Hon. Mpuuga, his wife and children on my behalf, please tell him thank you. We shall forever be appreciative and you all know that by ranking our outing LOP has performed way better than those who came before him. It’s our culture to give way at our prime time when we are the best example so that those that come after us aspire to achieve the kind of leadership we are giving.” Said Bobi wine
Bobi wine clarified that the appointment of the new LOP and reshuffles is not firing or demotion as their detractor want to put it but rather a moral change since they have the resourcefulness and blessings of their senior leaders and they want to use that to empower and groom young leaders.
To Joel Ssenyonyi: Bobi Wine told him that he is justified to worry because he is fitting into very big shoes but in the same way he asked him to be confident because he is surrounded with resource, luck and support and they are confident that he will deliver even more than their imagination.
