The looming mega shadow cabinet reshuffle is said to be have given birth to the second episode of suspicion and unhealthy relationship between the different Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) members of Parliament.
According to news reaching our desk indicates that following the emergence of the counter Gen. Mugisha Muntu party, the relationship between lawmakers regardless of which faction one subscribes to had not much been affected till when the news of the cabinet reshuffled jetted in.
At the end of last week, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon Betty Aol Ocan who recently took office amidst controversy revealed that she will name a new Shadow Cabinet once Parliament returns from recess in November. This is Something that has forced some members to allege that they might be witch haunted for supporting Gen. Muntu.
This information comes less than a week after the party secretary general Nathan Nandala Mafabi issued a two weeks’ ultimatum: Choose between FDC and former party president Mugisha Muntu.
Mafabi said the party is going to carry out a membership audit following the dramatic severing of ties between them and the group led by Maj Gen Gregory Mugisha Muntu. Muntu, once a party president for five years, quit FDC last week following what he called irreconcilable differences.
Hon. Aol says despite the disunity in the Opposition, the 29 member Shadow Cabinet will consist of Members willing to work with her.
“I know that MPs who support the new formation of Mugisha Muntu are more but this will not disrupt the work of Parliament” said Aol Ocan adding, “it is not about Besigye, Muntu or Amuriat, it is about the people of Uganda”.
Aol Ocan made these remarks during a live tweet chat about her first days in office and what she intends to do. The live social media engagement took place on Friday, 05 November 2018.The LOP added that there are Pro-Muntu MPs who are ready to work with her on the shadow cabinet.
“There are about four MPs who say they want to rest while others despise the whole idea of a Shadow Cabinet,” said Aol Ocan.
She revealed that when Parliament resumes in November, the Opposition will focus on the Legal Aid Bill saying, “our people are poor and they suffer when it comes to seeking legal aid. It should not be NGOs and development partners providing legal aid; we want government to get involved”.
Aol Ocan also reiterated her call for electoral reforms which she says government is taking time to introduce despite repeated calls from Parliament.
“The evils in the electoral process are rooted; we need to review this. The president has a lot of powers, which have continuously disadvantaged us,” she said.
This is the Current Shadow Cabinet
| THE SHADOW CABINET MINISTERS | |
| Attorney General | Hon. Niwagaba Wilfred |
| Cooperatives | Hon. Ongiertho Emmanuel Jor |
| Information and Ethics | Vacant |
| Animal Industry and Fisheries | Hon. Okot Peter |
| Local Government | Hon. Nambooze Betty |
| Finance, Planning and Economic Development | Hon. Akol Anthony |
| Human Rights | Hon. Kasibante Moses |
| Foreign and Regional Affairs | Hon. Katusabe Godfrey Atkins |
| Health | Hon. Ochen Julius |
| Education and Sports | Hon. Mpuuga Mathias |
| Public Service and Presidency | Hon. Ariko Herbert Edmund |
| Gender, Labour and Social Development | Hon. Akello Lucy |
| Youth and Children Affairs | Hon. Adeke Anne Ebaju |
| Works and Transport | Hon. Nzoghu William |
| Physical Planning | Hon. Turyamuhweza Fred |
| Lands, Housing and Urban Development | Hon. Abacacon Angiro Gutomoi |
| Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities | Hon. Centenary Franco Robert |
| Water and Environment | Hon. Namayanja Florence |
| Energy and Minerals | Hon. Oyet Simon |
| Science, Innovation and Communication Technology | Hon. Oguzu Lee Denis |
| Rehabilitation, Relief and Disaster Management | Hon. Sizomu Gershom Rabbi |
| Special Regions Affairs | Hon. Ocan Betty Aol |
| Justice and Constitutional Affairs | Hon. Lubega Medard Sseggona |
| Defence, Security and Veterans Affairs | Hon. Olanya Gilbert |
| Internal Affairs | Hon. Muwanga Muhammad Kivumbi |
| Trade and Industry | Hon. Kasozi Ibrahim |
| Sports and Creative Arts | Hon. Ssewanyana Allan |
| East African Community | Hon. Zaake Francis |
| Kampala Capital City Authority | Hon. Kabaziguruka Micheal |
| Agriculture | Hon. Gonahasa Francis Barnabas |
