Mityana South MP Richard Lumu has urged opposition parties in Uganda to prioritise a united push for political transition instead of engaging in internal conflicts that weaken their credibility.
Speaking to Bbeg Media at Parliament, Lumu expressed concern over growing divisions among opposition groups that seek to challenge the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). He said constant wrangling risks undermining public confidence in their ability to govern.
“I want to call upon my comrades in the opposition to prepare for the political transition of our country rather than focusing on minor wrangles that split us. We need to look at the bigger picture where all Ugandans benefit,” Lumu said.
He pointed to internal tensions within parties such as the Democratic Party, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Uganda People’s Congress, JEEMA, People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and Conservative Party, describing them as marked by intrigue, hypocrisy, infighting and political immaturity.
He warned that such behaviour threatens the opposition’s chances of building legitimacy and offering a stable alternative government.
Lumu also criticised opposition leaders, particularly from Buganda, for failing to lobby effectively for infrastructure development.
He questioned why more effort had not been directed towards improving schools, roads and railway transport, despite the central government collecting a large share of national tax revenue.
A lawyer by profession, Lumu said he intends to step back from elective politics and support his successor in Mityana South. He plans to focus on legal practice, farming and expanding his coffee export business over the next five years.
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the last election, in which he lost to NRM’s Henry Kamya Makumbi, who is returning for a second term.
Despite his reservations, Lumu said he will continue supporting development initiatives in the constituency, including education projects, youth and women employment programmes, and lobbying for the upgrade of the Kalongo Mityana Busujju road.
On parliamentary leadership, Lumu said the race for Speaker was largely predictable, arguing that preferred candidates were already known.
He nonetheless endorsed Anita Among and her deputy Thomas Tayebwa, saying they had provided effective leadership and deserved another term.
He also criticised the agenda at the Kyankwanzi National Leadership Institute (NALI), saying it overlooked key national priorities.
Lumu said discussions should instead focus on development, tackling corruption and land grabbing, and strengthening economic growth.
