Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda is ferociously fighting to keep his position as the opposition party whip out of a deep concern over the potential loss of privileges and immunities that come with his current position.
Ssemujju was fired from the position by the secretary general of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Nathan Nandala Mafabi, early this month in the ongoing party wrangles the party is facing.
Fearful of losing all of his privileges, he sought assistance from the Speaker of Parliament, who temporarily overruled the case, leaving his position hanging in the balance.
If Ssemujju is sacked as Whip, he stands to lose immunity from civil or criminal liability for statements made during parliamentary sessions, protection from arrest while attending parliamentary sittings, and freedom from legal action related to his parliamentary duties.
Ssemujju, as a whip, has the right to speak on behalf of the party during parliamentary debates and discussions. He can raise issues, ask questions, express the party’s stance on various matters, and engage in parliamentary discourse.
His position allows him a seat as a member or chairperson of various parliamentary committees. This allows them to actively participate in the deliberations and decision-making on specific issues. Ssemujju’s attendance and presence on many parliamentary committees allows him access to a lot of allowances from all those committees.
He also has access to parliamentary resources, a stipulated salary, and all benefits provided to ministers. This includes a monthly salary, allowances for official duties, and other benefits determined by the parliamentary administration.
It’s important to note that the specific entitlements and responsibilities may vary depending on the rules and practices of the Ugandan parliament and the opposition party itself.
According to some MPs, he had to run to the speaker to have his job saved,or he would lose a number of privileges, including his usual utterances about anybody and anything, without fear because he has immunity and is protected by the law.