The Democratic Party (DP) has appointed Tochi County Member of
Parliament Peter Okot as its whip in the 11th parliament.
Okot who will be serving his second term as MP replaces the Kalungu West Member
of Parliament Joseph Sewungu who last year crossed to the National Unity
platform (NUP).
The main role of the whip is to ensure party discipline, including ensuring
that MPs attend voting sessions when it comes to key decisions but also vote
according to their party's official position.
Okot will be deputized by the Mityana South MP Lumu Richard.
In an interview, Okot says that their main duty is to mainly
ensure cohesion among the nine members of the Democratic Party in parliament. Okot
will serve as the party whip for the next two and half years.
//Cue in:” I was privileged…
Cue out:…the sectorial committees”//
Okot also says that the party members have chosen the committees
they want to be allocated to. He says that the list will be availed after the appointment
of the Opposition Chief Whip.
DP had 15 members of Parliament in the 10th Parliament, but 10
crossed to the National Unity Platform (NUP). They are; Mathias Mpuuga, Joseph
Ssewungu, Medard Ssegona, Betty Nambooze, Muwanga Kivumbi, Allan Ssewanyana ,
Ssempala Kigozi ,Ssentongo Robinah , Veronica Namaganda , and Florence
Namayanja.
The NUP which is the majority party in Parliament will lead the opposition in
Parliament and NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu will appoint the Leader
of Opposition, and the Opposition chief whip among others.
Alex Otto
Freelancer