FULL LIST: Ssenyonyi retains LOP role as Opposition names shadow cabinet, committee heads

KAMPALA, Uganda: Nakawa West Member of Parliament, Hon Joel Besekezi Ssenyonyi, has retained his position as Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in the 12th Parliament as the Opposition Thursday unveiled its new shadow cabinet and parliamentary leadership team for the 2026–2031 parliamentary term.

The lineup, dominated by members of the National Unity Platform (NUP), also includes representatives from the Democratic Party (DP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), and Independent legislators.

The appointments position the Opposition to provide oversight, policy alternatives and accountability against President Museveni’s newly appointed Cabinet and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government.

Ssenyonyi, the Nakawa West legislator, retains the powerful Opposition leadership role after a high-profile tenure in the 11th Parliament, where he frequently clashed with the government over corruption, accountability and governance issues.

Meanwhile, the Opposition named Jinja South Division East MP Paul Mwiru (NUP) as its Chief Whip, while Kayunga District Woman MP, Harriet Nakwede, takes the role of Deputy Chief Opposition Whip and Shadow Minister for Presidency.

Among the notable shadow cabinet appointments, Kalungu West MP, Hon Gonzaga Sewungu, was named Shadow Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, while former NBS TV journalist Zambali Bulasio Mukasa was assigned the Sports docket.

Kyadondo East MP, Nkunyingi Muwadda, takes on the leadership of the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), and will be deputised by Kira Municipality MP George Musisi.

Similarly, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake takes over as Chairperson of the Government Assurances Committee with Soroti District Woman MP, Anna Ebaju Adeke (FDC) as the Vice.

The shadow cabinet also features several youthful legislators and first-time MPs, signalling what analysts describe as the Opposition’s continued strategy of blending media-savvy politicians, experienced legislators and grassroots mobilisers.

Full Shadow Cabinet

Name	Portfolio	Party
Harriet Nakwede	Deputy Chief Opposition Whip & Shadow Minister for Presidency	NUP
Karim Masaba	Cooperatives and Microfinance	Independent
Gonzaga Sewungu	Defence and Veteran Affairs	NUP
Sheila Amaniyo	Information and Anti-Corruption	NUP
Dr Eunice Apio Otuko	Science, Innovation and Technology	UPC
Kasule Ismail	Trade and Industry	ANT
Patrick Onguti Okello	Local Government	DP
Ssebina Gyaviira	Finance, Planning and Economic Development	NUP
Charles Tebandeke	Animal Industry and Fisheries	NUP
Joan Acom Alobo	Foreign Affairs	FDC
Sumayah Nabawanuka	Lands, Housing and Urban Development	NUP
Moses Musanje Lukanga	Energy and Minerals	NUP
Andrew Kiiza Kaluya	Education	NUP
Hakim Kiiza	East African Community Affairs	NUP
Jimmy Kanaabi	Public Service	NUP
Dr Timothy Lusala Batuwa	Health	NUP
Denis Sekabira	Internal Affairs	NUP
Betty Naluyima	Gender, Labour and Social Development	NUP
Robert Maseruka	Youth and Children Affairs	NUP
Fred Jalameso	Tourism and Wildlife	UPC
Jamal Mukuve	Water and Environment	NUP
Patrick Kuteesa	Agriculture	NUP
Peter Okot	Special Regions	DP
Kaps Fungaroo	Human Rights	FDC
Abdullah Kiwanuka	Justice and Constitutional Affairs	NUP
Zahara Luyirika	Kampala Capital City Authority	NUP
Asinansi Nyakato	Works and Transport	PFF
Zambali Bulasio	Sports	NUP
Hussein Muyonjo	Culture and Performing Arts	NUP
Luyimbazi Nalukoola	Attorney General	NUP

The Opposition also named leadership for accountability committees including COSASE, Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Government Assurances Committee and Local Government Accounts Committee.

Kassanda County North MP Patrick Nsamba Oshabe was appointed Chairperson of PAC, deputized by Jinja City Woman MP Sarah Lwansasula.

Kyadondo East MP Nkunyingi Muwadda will chair COSASE, assisted by George Musisi.

Full Opposition Parliamentary Leadership

POSITION	NAME	CONSTITUENCY
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament	Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi	Nakawa West
Chief Opposition Whip	Hon. Paul Mwiru	Jinja South Division East
Deputy Chief Opposition Whip	Hon. Nakwede Harriet	Kayunga DWR
Commissioner of Parliament	Hon. Nambeshe John Baptiste	Manjiya County
Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee	Hon. Nsamba Patrick Oshabe	Kassanda County North
Vice Chairperson, Public Accounts Committee	Hon. Sarah Lwansasula	Jinja City WR
Chairperson, COSASE	Hon. Nkunyingi Muwadda	Kyadondo County East
Vice Chairperson, COSASE	Hon. George Musisi	Kira Municipality
Chairperson, Government Assurances Committee	Hon. Zaake Francis Butebi	Mityana Municipality
Vice Chairperson, Government Assurances Committee	Hon. Adeke Anna Ebaju	Soroti DWR
Chairperson, Local Government Accounts Committee	Hon. Nambooze Betty Bakireke	Mukono Municipality
Vice Chairperson, Local Government Accounts Committee	Hon. Abed Nasser Mudiobole	Iganga Municipality
Pan-African Parliament Representative	Hon. Kalwanga David Lukyamuzi	Busujju County
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Representative	Hon. Nantongo Fortunate Rose	Kyotera DWR
Parliamentary Union of the OIC Member States Representative	Hon. Hassan Kirumira	Katikamu County South
Inter-Parliamentary Union Representative	Hon. Nabukenya Brenda	Luwero DWR
Parliamentary Pension Scheme	Hon. Kawalya Abubakar	Lubaga North
Caribbean-EU Parliamentary Assembly	Hon. Namutaawe Joan	Masaka DWR

The unveiling comes days after President Museveni announced his new Cabinet for the 2026–2031 term under what he described as the “Kisanja No Sleep” administration.

Political observers say the effectiveness of the Opposition’s new team will largely depend on its ability to remain united despite growing ideological and party differences among Opposition formations.