The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has reclaimed dominance over the Buganda Caucus, reversing the losses it suffered during the 11th Parliament when National Unity Platform (NUP) legislators held sway over the influential bloc.
Robert Migadde, the MP for Buvuma Islands County, was appointed the new caucus chairperson for the 12th Parliament.
There were no elections after the majority of 74 legislators who turned up for the meeting settled for negotiations.
Mityana Woman MP Judith Nabakooba led negotiations on the NRM side.
On the opposition side, Wakiso Woman MP Ethel Naluyima coordinated the process of identifying candidates for the remaining slots. All names put forward by both sides were seconded and adopted without objection.
Migadde takes over from Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the former Butambala MP who failed to return to Parliament after losing his seat in the just-concluded elections. Kivumbi is currently in detention over charges of murder.
In his first remarks as chairperson, Migadde called for unity among legislators regardless of their party affiliations and committed to championing the interests of Buganda and its people.
“We are going to work together as one, parties aside. We promise to work together and keep united,” Migadde said.
Migadde has held the Buvuma Islands County seat since 2011.
Among the opposition legislators appointed to the executive committee, Denis Sekabira of Katikamu North became vice chairperson, while NRM’s Cissy Namujju, the Lwengo Woman, took the treasurer’s post.
The opposition also secured the positions of general secretary, won by Busujju County MP David Kalwanga Lukyamuzi; that of mobiliser, taken by Nansana Municipality MP Bulasio Zambaali Mukasa; and secretary for welfare, filled by Kayunga Woman MP Harriet Nakwede.
The cabinet and shadow cabinet representative positions were left open, awaiting the formation of the new cabinet and the naming of the opposition’s parliamentary leadership.
Notably absent from the meeting were several senior opposition figures, among them former Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi of Nakawa West, Kyadondo East MP Muwada Nkunyingi, and Bukoto Central MP Richard Ssebamala.
