After weeks of speculation, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has announced its Shadow Cabinet, with key posts going to some of the most vocal members of the opposition.
The post of Shadow Cabinet Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister has been given to prominent Kampala lawyer, Elias Lukwago. Lukwago is a member of the Democratic Party, one of three opposition parties in the House that agreed to work with the FDC in the Shadow Cabinet.
Other Democratic Party members on the Shadow Cabinet are John Baptist Kawanga who is Minister for Trade, Tourism and Industry and Mike Mabikke, who is Minister for Housing and Urban Development.
Parliamentary newcomers, Beti Kamya, Nabilah Sempala, Betty Ochan, Beatrice Atim, Christine Abia and Susan Nampijja of the Conservative Party, were also appointed to the Shadow Cabinet. Kamya is Minister for Agriculture, Sempala is Minister for Information and Ochan is Minister for Rehabilitation, Relief and Disaster Preparedness. Beatrice Atim has been appointed Minister for Water and Environment, Abia Minister for Education and Sports and Nampijja is Minister for Gender and Youth.
Several FDC stalwarts have also been appointed to the Shadow Cabinet. Christopher Kibanzanga is Minister for the Presidency, Nadala Mafabi is Finance Minister, Alex Onzima is Minister for Defense and Security, Reagan Okumu is Minister for Regional and East African Corporation and Francis Epetite is Minister of Health. Others are Harry Kasigwa the Minister for Energy and Minister Development and Patrick Amuria the Minister for Works and Infrastructure.
The only member of the Justice Forum in Parliament, Hussein Kyanjo, was appointed Shadow Cabinet Minister for Human Rights.
Announcing the list on Monday afternoon, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Ogenga Latigo, said the Shadow Cabinet was a reflection of the FDC's desire to work closely with other political parties and to build a credible opposition in the House.
Despite the attempted balance between political ideology and gender, the Shadow Cabinet appointments didn't go down well with some youthful MPs from the FDC.
Akbar Hussein from Arua Municipality, Susan Nakawuki from Busiro East Constituency and Odonga Otto from Aru county complained that the Shadow Cabinet only consisted of old politicians and wasn't representative of the youthful nature of the party.
//Cue in: iOur party FDC #i
Cue out: i# doesn't make sense.i//
MP Otto was particularly bitter with the appointments, threatening to expose dirt on the FDC if his grievances were not addressed.
Ogenga Latigo admitted to displeasure over the young MPs complaints. He said Otto is a member of the FDC National Executive Committee and was aware of what the party was trying to achieve with its appointments. He said complaining publicly about the appointments was inappropriate and uncalled for.
//Cue in: iIn this process #i
Cue out: i# they are excluded.i//
