Joel Ssenyonyi

Last updated

Febress Nagawa
(m. 2020)
Joel Besekezi Ssenyonyi
Ssenyonyi Joel Besekezi.jpg
Leader of the Opposition
Assumed office
9 January 2024
Children2
Education Makerere University
(Bachelor of Science in Business Statistics)
Makerere University
(Bachelor of Laws)
Law Development Centre
(Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice)

Joel Besekezi Ssenyonyi (born 20 December 1986) is an Ugandan journalist, lawyer and politician. He is the member of parliament for the Nakawa West constituency in Kampala and the leader of opposition in the Ugandan Parliament, a position that was previously held by Mathias Mpuga. [1] He also serves as the Spokesperson of the National Unity Platform. [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Joel was born at Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda. He attended several primary schools including Kazinda Memorial School, Namirembe Infant Primary School in Bakuli, Joy Primary School, and later Trinity Academy Primary School in Bukoto where he completed his Primary Leaving Examinations in 1999. [3] [4] He joined St. Lawrence Citizens High School for his O-Level and A-Level education.

Ssenyonyi holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Statistics from Makerere University. He later pursued legal studies at the same institution, obtaining a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. [5] He completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre (LDC) in Kampala, qualifying him to practice law in Uganda. In 2025, he earned a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Management from Uganda Christian University (UCU). [6] His master’s dissertation examined corruption and its effect on service delivery in Banda Parish, Nakawa West Constituency. [7]

Media Career

During his Senior Six vacation in 2006, he began his media career at Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) as a news anchor before later joining NTV Uganda, where he gained wider national recognition as a journalist and television host. [3] [8] He transitioned into politics in 2019 when he was appointed spokesperson of the People Power movement led by Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine.

Political career

Ssenyonyi was elected as the NUP parliamentary candidate for the Nakawa West seat in the 2021 Ugandan general election. [9] He won the seat after defeating the National Resistance Movement's Margret Zziwa Nantongo. [10] [11] He was appointed as Chairperson for the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) from 2021 to 2024. [12]

He was appointed the Leader of Opposition in Parliament on 22 December 2023 [13] and assumed office on 9 January 2024. [14] [15]

Personal life

Joel Ssenyonyi is married to Febress Nagawa. The couple wedded in 2020 and have two children, a daughter and a son. [16] [17]

References

  1. "Bobi Wine drops Mpuuga, names Joel Ssenyonyi as LOP". The Independent Uganda. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  2. "NUP begins search for Leader of Opposition in Parliament". Daily Monitor. 27 January 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  3. 1 2 Najib, Mulema (7 May 2019). "PROFILE: Who is Joel Ssenyonyi, the new People Power spokesperson?". Watchdog Uganda. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  4. joel-ssenyonyi-virgin-went-four-primary
  5. Republic, Matooke (17 May 2021). "NUP's Joel Ssenyonyi graduates from Makerere University Law School - Matooke Republic" . Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  6. Atukunda, Rogers (4 July 2025). "LOP Joel Ssenyonyi Earns Master's Degree from UCU". SoftPower News. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  7. Mugabi, Sam Ibanda. "Ssenyonyi Graduates with Masters Degree in Organisational Leadership and Management". Nilepost News. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  8. Team, The Observer (31 July 2019). "Joel Ssenyonyi on why he is proudly a virgin at 32". The Observer. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  9. "Ssenyonyi, Zziwa nominated for Nakawa west MP seat". The Independent Uganda. 15 October 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  10. Mwarua, Douglas (16 January 2021). "Journalists Joel Ssenyonyi, Agnes Nandutu and 3 others elected to parliament". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  11. "Uganda elections: Museveni wins, Bobi Wine the rising power in parliament". The Africa Report.com. 17 January 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  12. "Recent Transformations in Parliamentary Commission and Committees - Uganda Broadcasting Corporation". 11 January 2024. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  13. "Bobi Wine drops Mpuuga, names Joel Ssenyonyi as LOP". The Independent Uganda. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  14. "I'll engage higher gear as LoP, says Ssenyonyi as he takes over from Mpuuga". Monitor. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  15. Reporter, NewVision (22 December 2023). "Ssenyonyi new Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Mpuuga gets new role". New Vision. Retrieved 19 October 2025.
  16. BAMULANZEKI, NICHOLAS (July 2020). "Joel Ssenyonyi weds Febress Nagawa". The Observer - Uganda. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  17. Ruby, Josh (20 November 2023). "Joel Ssenyonyi and wife celebrate arrival of baby boy Hezekiah". MBU. Retrieved 24 January 2024.