By THE OBSERVER UG
Joel Ssenyonyi (C) dancing with party president Robert Kyagulanyi and secretary general Lewis Rubungoya
The National Unity Platform (NUP) party president Robert Kyagulanyi dropped Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba as the leader of opposition in parliament. Mpuuga has been been replaced by Nakawa West MP Joel Ssenyonyi.
Speaking today at the party headquarters in Kampala, Kyagulanyi said the new appointments shouldn’t be seen as a demotion of Mpuuga but rather the party living to its spirit of changing leadership. He commended Mpuuga for the job well-done amidst multiple challenges.
“We thank you for the leadership in tough times, for the comradeship you have given to various leaders including myself. Thank you for the insistency to face seemingly insurmountable odds, thank you for being a punching bag for those who matter and those who don’t matter,” Kyagulanyi said.
Mpuuga, the MP for Nyendo-Mukungwe Division in Masaka city has now been appointed commissioner of parliament replacing Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake who has been appointed the shadow minister for the presidency and security and also deputy chief whip.
Speaking after the announcement of the new changes, Mpuuga thanked Kyagulanyi for the opportunity to serve for two and a half years in the position.
“Our journey is not a journey of positions, but rather a journey of making Uganda better. I want to invite all those who believe in a new and better Uganda to back the new team leader in parliament. Advise him; don’t backstab him, don’t downplay his effort. To the new team leader, you have my back,” Mpuuga said.
Ssenyonyi thanked the party for the appointment and promised to do everything to fulfil his responsibilities.
“I’m not the most experienced, I’m not the most educated of that team, I might not even be the most deserving according to some people but, such is leadership. I look forward to working with all the teams in the opposition because we are more similar than we are different,” Ssenyonyi said.
Other appointments
| Designation | Name | Constituency |
| Minister of Sports | Kayemba Solo | Bukomansimbi South |
| Minister of Animal Industries and Fisheries | Suzan Mugabi | Buvuma Woman |
| Minister of East African Affairs | Lucy Akello | Amuru Woman MP |
| Special regions | Santa Okot | Aruu North |
| Cooperatives and Micro Finance | Joan Achom Alobo | Soroti Woman |
| Information and Anti corruption | Hellen Nakimuli | Kalangala Woman |
| Culture and Performing Arts | Kiyaga Hilary | Mawokota North |
| Science Innovation and Technology | Okin PP Ojara | Chwa West |
| Water and Environment Christine | Kkaaya Nakimwero | Kiboga Woman |
| Human Rights | Shamim Malende | Kampala Woman |
| Local Government | Betty Ethel Naluyima | Wakiso Woman |
| Trade and Industry | Manjeri Kyebakutikka | Jinja Woman |
| Public Service | Anna Odeke Ebaju | Soroti Woman |
| Agriculture | Asinasi Nyakato | Hoima Woman |
| Education | Joseph Ssewungu Gonzaga | Kalungu West |
| Defence and Veteran Affairs | Karim Masaba | Mbale Industrial Division |
| Internal Affairs | Betty Nambooze Bakireke | Mukono Municipality |
| Health | Timothy Batuwa | Jinja South |
| Works and Transport | Francis Mwijukye | Buhweju |
| Kampala Capital City | Ronald Nsubuga Balimwezo | Nakawa East |
| Foreign Affairs | Muwada Nkunyingi | Kyaddondo East |
| Land, Housing and Urban Development | Paulson Luttamaguzi Ssemakula | Nakaseke South |
| Energy and Minerals | Evans Kanyike | Bukoto East |
| Tourism and Industry | Derrick Nyeko | Makindye East |
| Youth and Children Affairs | Frank Kabuye | Kassanda South |
| Gender, Labour and Social Development | Fortunate Nantongo | Kyotera Woman |
| Finance, Planning and Economic Development | Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda | Kira Municipality |
| Justice and Constitutional Affairs | Jonathan Odur | Erute South |
| Attorney General | Wilfred Niwagaba | Ndorwa East. |
| Rep Parliamentary Union of Organization of Islamic Countries | Hassan Kirumira | Katikamu South |
| Rep Caribbean/EU parliament | Hanifa Nabukeera | Mukono Woman |
| Rep Parliamentary Pension Scheme | Aisha Kabanda Nalule | Butambala Woman |
| Rep Interparliamentary Union | Flavia Kalule Nabagabe | Kassanda Woman |
| Rep Commonwealth Parliament | David Kalwanga Lukyamuzi | Busujju |
| Rep tPan African Parliament | Patrick Nsamba Oshabe | Kassanda South |
| Vice chairperson Local government accounts committee | Abubaker Kawalya | Lubaga North |
| Chairperson local governments accounts committee | Gilbert Olanya | Kilaka South |
| Chairperson government assurance committee | Abed Bwanika | Kimanya-Kabonera |
| Dep. Chairperson government assurance committee | Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa | Mityana Woman |
| Chairperson COSASE | Medard Lubega Sseggona | Busiro East |
| Dep chairperson COSASE | Allan Mayanja | Nakaseke Central |
| Chairperson public accounts committee | Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi | |
| Chairperson public accounts committee | Goretti Namugga | Mawogola South |
| Chief Opposition Whip | John Baptist Nambeshe | Manjiya |