Forum for Democratic Change FDC, the party with the majority opposition seats in parliament now holds mixed feelings about UPC and it is reported to be revising the shadow cabinet list to exclude UPC members who had been nominated to serve in different portfolios in the shadow cabinet.
The appointment of members of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) party to serve in President Yoweri Museveni's cabinet is upsetting the composition of the shadow cabinet in Parliament, URN has learnt.
Forum for Democratic Change –FDC, the party with the majority opposition seats in parliament now holds mixed feelings about UPC and it is reported to be revising the shadow cabinet list to exclude UPC members who had been nominated to serve in different portfolios in the shadow cabinet.
A source within the office of the Leader of Opposition in Parliament told Uganda Radio Network that UPC cannot be trusted after endorsing the inclusion of its members in the NRM cabinet.
The development comes days after President Yoweri Museveni appointed Oyam South Member of Parliament Betty Amongi to serve as Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban development and former Kole Woman MP Joy Ruth Acheng as State Minister for Fisheries. The two are active members of UPC.
Their appointment was also endorsed by the National Council of the Akena-led faction of UPC.
The source who preferred anonymity added that although the shadow cabinet list is ready, consultations are still on-going on to determine UPC's loyalty to the opposition. However, the source adds, a number of independent MPs have been considered alongside the Democratic party.
"I doubt UPC will get a slot, these are some of the few remaining consultations being made", the source said.
In as separate interview with URN, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kizza said that the shadow cabinet will be unveiled within this week. Kizza added that a few consultations are ongoing but declined to divulge details on the pending issues.
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She added that the shadow cabinet and the opposition have played a key role in the formulation of policies for the country.
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Kizza also noted that the constitution of accountability committee leaders and members in parliament is underway. The Opposition chairs the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Committee on Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), the Local Government Accounts Committee and the Government Assurances Committee.
Sources also indicate that a number of opposition figures are being considered to chair or be part of the accountability committees citing Budadiri County West MP Nandala Mafabi as having been fronted by some opposition MPs to chair PAC despite him not expressing interest.
