Anti-Gay Legislation - Parliament of Uganda

Transcription

August House
PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
Deputy Speaker defends Uganda over
Anti-Gay Legislation
Analysing Supreme Court’s Ruling
in the Spirit of Article 83 (1) (g)
and (h) of the Constitution
UWOPA comes of age
JUNE 2014
August House
June 2014
August House:
June 2014
i
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Welcome to yet another edition of the
August House magazine. We take this
opportunity to congratulate the Rt. Hon.
Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and Members
of Parliament for their achievements in the
previous Session and welcome them to
the start of the Fourth Session of the Ninth
Parliament.
In the Third Session, Parliament handled
considerable business both in the committees
and in the House, passing a total of 19
Bills. Some of the Bills passed in the Third
Session that have generated much debate
in the public domain include The Anti
Pornography Bill, The Anti-Homosexuality
Bill and the HIV and AIDS Prevention and
Control Bill.
Parliament on its part has had to engage its
stakeholders to educate, put the record right,
and in some instances defend the stance
taken by the institution in enacting such
legislation.
In this edition of the August House,
we highlight the Deputy Speaker of
Parliament, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah’s
vivacious comments in defence of the AntiHomosexuality Bill at the 27th African
Caribbean and Pacific-European Union
Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Strasbourg,
France, and why there is a need for foreign
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governments to respect the sovereignty of
nations but more particularly legislations
which are a reflection of the moral values
and norms of the people.
We also highlight the new team of
Parliamentary Commissioners who have
taken on the mantle of administration and
strategic management of Parliament. We
bring you their plans for the institution,
but also take a sneak peek of the kind of
persons they are.
Additionally, we bring you articles about
the offices of the Government Chief Whip
and the Opposition Whip; business in the
Pan-African Parliament, where Uganda has
representatives and also give you highlights
of the year passed.
We would like to get feedback from you.
Please take time to give us your comments
on these and other articles in the August
House. Your feedback is important to us and
will inform future publications.
Thank you and have a pleasant reading.
Helen Kawesa
Editor-in-Chief
editor-in-chief
Helen N. Kawesa
editor
Mohammed G. Katamba
project coordinators
Stephen Mwanga
Charles bukuwa
copy and style editor
Phillip K. Nabyama
design and layout editor
Moses Bwalatum
photo editor
Dorothy Namubiru
Mwesigwa
copy assistants
Mercy Nalusiba
Ben Kokas Okiror
design assistant
Moses Mbona
photography
Steven Bingi
Ibrahim Senfuma
Abdu Kagimu
A Publication of the Parliament of Uganda
P. O. Box 7178 Kampala
Tel: +256 414 377 000
+256 414 377 180/1
www.parliament.go.ug
©2014
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NATIONAL ANTHEM
Oh Uganda! may God uphold thee,
We lay our future in thy hand.
United free,
For liberty
Together we’ll always stand.
Oh Uganda! the land of freedom.
Our love and labour we give,
And with neighbours all
At our country’s call
In peace and friendship we’ll live.
Oh Uganda! the land that feeds us
By sun and fertile soil grown.
For our own dear land,
We’ll always stand:
The Pearl of Africa’s Crown.
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EAC ANTHEM
Chorus
Jumuiya Yetu sote tuilinde
Tuwajibike tuimarike
Umoja wetu ni nguzo yetu
Idumu Jumuiya yetu.
1. Ee Mungu twaomba ulinde
Jumuiya Afrika Mashariki
Tuwezeshe kuishi kwa amani
Tutimize na malengo yetu.
2. Uzalendo pia mshikamano
Viwe msingi wa Umoja wetu
Natulinde Uhuru na Amani
Mila zetu na desturi zetu.
3. Viwandani na hata mashambani
Tufanye kazi sote kwa makini
Tujitoe kwa hali na mali
Tuijenge Jumuiya bora.
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PARLIAMENT PRAYER
(Recited at the beginning of all committee and plenary meetings)
Almighty God,
Who in your infinite wisdom and providential
goodness have appointed the offices of leaders and
parliaments for the welfare of society and the just
governance of humanity
We beseech you to look upon with your abundant
favour these your servants whom you have been
pleased to call to perform such important tasks in
this land
Let your blessings descend upon here assembled
And grant that they may as in your presence
Treat and consider all matters that shall come under
their deliberations in so just and faithful a manner as
to promote your honour and glory
And to advance the good of those whose interests
you have committed to their charge.
Amen.
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CONTENTS
Deputy Speaker defends Uganda over Anti-Gay Legislation in
International Assembly...............................................................................................................
1
Akwa Ibom State House Assembly applauds Parliament of Uganda.........................
5
Speaker decorated in Benin......................................................................................................
8
Ushering in the new Commission ..........................................................................................
12
Opposition leadership in Parliament changed..................................................................
17
‘Avoid being weak,’ President Museveni advises African governments.....................
20
Whipping the Government and the Opposition sides in Parliament........................
22
Analysing Supreme Court’s Ruling on the Spirit of Article 83 (1) (g)
and (h) of the Constitution.........................................................................................................
25
‘Meet regularly,’ Govt., Opposition Whip advised...............................................................
28
UWOPA comes of age; Grows stronger..................................................................................
31
Hon. Cecilia Ogwal bows out of Pan-African Parliament with glowing tribute .....
36
Hon. Kiwanda takes Chair of Commonwealth Parliamentary
Human Rights Group ................................................................................................................... 40
Dr. Baryomunsi elected President of African Parliamentarians
Forum on Population...................................................................................................................
42
Another 83 offices for MPs in offing........................................................................................
43
The year that was 2013 - 2014..................................................................................................
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Deputy Speaker defends Uganda over AntiGay Legislation in International Assembly
By Charles Bukuwa
T
he Deputy Speaker of Parliament,
Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah, early
this year spearheaded a resolution
of African Caribbean and
Pacific nations that defends the
sovereignty of these nations. This followed
an attempt by the members of the European
Union to suspend Uganda and Nigeria
from the Cotonou Agreement of 2000. This
was during the 27th African Caribbean
and Pacific-European
Union Joint Parliamentary
Assembly held from 17th
to 19th March 2014 in
Strasbourg, France.
homophobic.
Mr. Michel stated that “Any law that
criminalised homosexuality is a clear breach
of the international agreements that protect
minorities and
must be
In his submission to
the Assembly, the CoPresident of the ACP-EU Joint
Parliamentary Assembly,
Mr. Louis Michel said
that Uganda and
Nigeria should repeal
the anti-gay laws which
he described as being
Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah
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immediately repealed.”
He added that countries, which outlaw
sexual minorities, should not be part of the
wider international community.
“We can never accept that governments use
some kind of cultural argument as a pretext
to justify demonising homosexuality. The right
to be different is a founding expression of
the rights of man”, he added.
However, Rt. Hon. Jacob Oulanyah in his
submission to the Assembly said that there is
consensus on state sovereignty and there is
no need for interference from outside.
“What has happened in Uganda
and Nigeria is an expression of that
sovereignty. Any proposition to undermine
the sovereignty of states; those against the
root of this relationship and to propose
anything less is to abuse this process and
partnership”, he added.
In an interview with the August House, Rt.
Hon. Oulanyah said that it was a tough
job convincing the other countries that any
resolution adopted on that subject would
eventually affect all of the ACP nations.
“I put it to them that this would target
Uganda and Nigeria at that moment but
any resolutions against us would at one
time have far reaching implications on other
member states,” he said.
Following this spirited fight, the ACP
countries adopted a resolution in support of
Uganda and Nigeria, which have passed
anti-gay legislations.
Below is the full Resolution;
DECLARATION OF THE ACP PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY ON RECENT PROPOSALS ADOPTED BY THE
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT WITH REGARD TO UGANDA AND NIGERIA
The Parliamentary Assembly of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States,
meeting at its 35th Session in Strasbourg, France on 14 and 19 March 2014,
• Having regard to the European Parliament Resolution of 13 March 2014 on initiating consultations to suspend Uganda and Nigeria from the Cotonou Agreement in view of recent legislation further criminalising homosexuality in the two countries;
• Having regard to the Resolution on challenges to the democratic accommodation of ethnic, cultural and religious diversity in ACP and EU countries, adopted by the ACP-
EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Prague on 4 April 2009 (ACP-EU/100.460/09/fin);
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A. Whereas as many as 76 countries in the world consider homosexuality a crime, with
5 countries foreseeing the death penalty for such crimes;
B. Considering that one of the universally held cardinal principles of democracy is to
accept differing opinions on matters of principle and that democracy and human rights
do not allow forceful imposition of unilateral points of view by one country over another
sovereign country;
C. Whereas the laws passed in Uganda and Nigeria were proposed by democratically
elected Parliaments, and complied with all the necessary legislative procedures,
including consultations with a cross-section of their populations;
D. Conscious of the need to respect the rule of law and the right of sovereign
governments and their democratic institutions, notably their legislative institutions to reflect
and respect the will of their people
E. Whereas a number of Member States of the European Union among which, the
Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden, as well as other countries such as the United States
of America and Norway have decided to either withhold aid directed to the Ugandan
Government or redirect aid away from the government to civil society;
F. Whereas homosexuality is already punished with a 14-year prison sentence under
section 145 of the Uganda Penal Code Act, enacted by the British colonial government;
with 7 year imprisonment under section 214 of the Nigerian Criminal Code, enacted by
the same British Colonial government;
G. Whereas the right of a society to determine its own moral values and norms must be
understood as a fundamental human right under principle of sovereign protection;
H. Recalling that ACP countries have consistently respected the right of the EU and other
countries to determine, defend and legislate for their own cultural values and norms,
such as laws outlawing polygamy, which are, on the contrary, permissible in many ACP
states;
I. Whereas recent developments have indicated that while ACP countries have
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exercised their democratic right to defend their cultural values and traditions which form
the bedrock of their social development and ethics, the European union has exerted
pressure on them to disregard the wishes of the majority of their people in the name of
democracy and human rights as they perceive it;
1. Regrets the deliberate application of double standards in addressing democracy and
human rights issues as manifested in the reaction of the European Parliament in relation
to the issue of sexual orientation and homosexuality in ACP Countries;
2. Recalls that in ACP countries these have not been issues of controversy amongst
their own people who have co-existed with such differences on the basis of established
social behaviour and acceptable standards of decency;
3. Reaffirms its rejection of any attempt to pressure the ACP countries into accepting
values contrary to the wishes and aspirations of their peoples; and regards such
attempts by the EU as running counter to the values of parliamentary democracy which it
espouses, and having nothing to do with the Cotonou Partnership Agreement;
4. Regrets that some ACP countries are being punished for observing and upholding the
generally acceptable norms in their societies;
5. Urges the EU to accept that at this time, there is no common ground between itself,
and Uganda and Nigeria on the question of sexual orientation and homosexuality;
6. Calls upon the EU to respect the democratic processes of sovereign States and
to refrain from taking action which could undermine the basis of its development
partnership with the ACP Group, including the attainment of the objectives of poverty
eradication and sustainable development, and to desist from tying sexual orientation
and homosexuality to development aid and cooperation; and
7. Instructs its President to forward this Declaration to the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary
Assembly (JPA), the Pan-African Parliament, the European Commission, the EU Council,
the European Parliament, ACP national parliaments and Governments, in particular
to the Governments, Parliaments and the Presidents of Uganda and Nigeria and the
African Union. AH
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Akwa Ibom State House Assembly
applauds Parliament of Uganda
By Stephen Mwanga
T
he Speaker of Akwa Ibom State
House Assembly, in Nigeria has
applauded the Parliament of
Uganda for its concerted efforts in
deepening parliamentary practice
in Africa. “I would like to express my
gratitude to my senior colleagues and the
Parliament of Uganda as a whole for their
spirited efforts in building and sustaining
parliamentary practice in Africa,” Rt. Hon.
Sam Okon Ikon said. This was during
his address to Uganda’s Parliamentary
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“Nigeria is one of
the countries in
Africa that has also
passed a law against
homosexuality after
Uganda. We find that
very supportive.”
Commissioners during their working visit to
the Nigerian State in February this year.
Rt. Hon. Ikon said that just like the Parliament
of Uganda, the Akwa Ibom State House
Assembly works to fulfill the interests of the
common person. “We are working on the
uncommon transformation for the good of
our people. We have worked to change
leadership in many government entities
including the courts of law and the police
for purposes of creating harmony and
law and order for the common person, he
explained.”
Right Hon. Ikon also reiterated the fact that
just like it is in the Parliament of Uganda,
the Akwa Ibom State House Assembly works
without state influence. He stressed that not
even the State Governor, interferes with the
parliamentary roles,adding that separation
of powers did not only exist between
the Akwa Ibom State and the Federal
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Government of Nigeria but that also within
the Assembly, the principle of separation of
powers is highly respected.
“For example, our Parliamentary
Commission though created by a Statute
of Parliament, works independent of this
Assembly in many respects.”
Speaking at the same meeting in the
Speaker’s Boardroom at the Akwa Ibon
State House Assembly Building, Hon. Elijah
Okupa, the leader of the delegation from
Uganda thanked the Akwa Ibom State
House Assembly Speaker and Nigeria at
large for the spirited support exhibited in
South Africa in September 2013 during
the election of the Chairperson of the
Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians
Association in which, Rt. Hon. Rebecca
Kadaga was elected Chairperson. Hon.
Okupa also applauded Nigeria for the
support exhibited as far as the fight against
homosexuality in Africa is concerned.
“Nigeria is one of the countries in Africa
that has also passed a law against
homosexuality after Uganda. We find that
very supportive,” he said.
Hon. Okupa also stressed the need for the
Akwa Ibom State House Assembly to work
closely with the media. He asked them
to pick examples from the Parliament of
Uganda and explained that the Parliament
of Uganda works with an effective press
staff; and the relationship between the State
Assembly and the National Assembly among
others. This was the last working visit of the
Commissioners, who were replaced by a
new team in April this year.
team under the umbrella association of the
Uganda Parliamentary Press Association.
He commended the Speaker of the AkwaI
bom Assembly for regularly organising
meetings with senior editors from media
houses in the State, adding that this was
a good practice,which the Parliament of
Uganda needed to tap. “The practice
of senior media editors meeting with the
leadership of Parliament to sort out issues,
is a good practice that should go to the
Parliament of Uganda,”he stressed.
The Parliamentary Commissioners, in
company of two staff of Parliament, were
in the Akwa Ibom State on a working visit
to benchmark on how political parties are
facilitated at the Akwa Ibom State Assembly;
the management of constituency offices;
management of committees; facilitation of
The team, led by Hon. Elijah Okupa also
included, Hon. Emmanuel Dombo, Hon.
Jalia Bintu and Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi
together with Hon. Samuel Odonga Otto as
the outgoing Chairperson of the Government
Assurances Committee of Parliament. The
Commissioners were accompanied by two
staff members – Mr. Benson Masereka;the
Assistant Director of the Commission
Secretariat, and Stephen Mwanga; Senior
Assistant Editor of the Hansard.
Akwa Ibom State is one of the 36 states of
Nigeria. It was named after the Qua Iboe
River, and is located in the coastal Southern
part of the country. It is bordered on the east
by Cross River State, on the west by Rivers
State and Abia State, and on the South by
the Atlantic Ocean and the southernmost tip
of Cross River State. It is currently the highest
oil and gas producing state in Nigeria.
The State was created in 1987 but had
its first State Assembly in 1992. Rt. Hon.
Sam Ikon is Speaker of the fifth multiparty
Assembly, which has 26 members with only
one member of the Opposition from the
Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN) political
party. AH
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Speaker Decorated in Benin
By James Bamuwamye
T
he Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon.
Rebecca Kadaga was in April
2014 decorated with the Grand
Cross of the National Order of
Benin. The Speaker was honoured
during a courtesy call she paid to the Benin
President, H.E. Yaya Boni at the Presidential
Palace in Cotonou, Benin on 11th April,
2014.
The Speaker was presented with the medals
by Dr. Koubourath Anjorin Osseni, of the
Benin Chancery, which recognized the
dignity and prestige the people of Benin
accord to Rt. Hon. Kadaga; who was
recommended for the medal by H.E. Yaya
Boni.
The Speaker was in Porto-Novo, Benin to
attend the Opening of the 1st Session of the
6th Legislature on Friday, 11th April 2014.
On receiving the honour, Right Hon.
Kadaga encouraged the People of Benin
to include women in decision-making. The
Parliament of Benin has only six women
representatives out of the 83 Members of
Parliament.
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The Speaker also visited the National
Parliament of Benin’s Radio Hemicycle FM
103.4 where she proposed the signing of a
Memorandum of Understanding to identify
areas of common interest between the two
legislatures.
The Speaker was accompanied by Hon.
Lucy Ajok and Hon. Peter-Abraham Lokii.
Below is Hon. Kadaga’s speech in full:Your Excellency the President, The Right
Honourable Speaker of Parliament, all
distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;
It is a great pleasure and honour for me
to address the National Assembly on the
occasion of the Opening of the First Session
of 2014.
I express my sincere pleasure to Prof Nago,
the Speaker of the National Assembly. He
has invited me on two previous occasions
but I was unable to come, but this year I
decided to put aside any other work so that
I could honour his invitation and I am very
happy to be here, for the first time.
When I was in secondary school we studied
the history of West Africa and I recall
vividly the power, the political and military
organization of the ancient Kingdom of
Dahomey under its ruler, the FON.
Presently relations between our two
governments are very cordial. There
have been state visits to Uganda by both
President Kerekou and President Soglo
as well as other dignitaries like ministers.
What has been missing and which I have
come to implement is the improvement and
strengthening of relations between the two
national assemblies of the Republics of Benin
and of Uganda.
Amongst the other things we share is the
production of cotton, and both Benin and
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Coming to the parliamentary dimension, I
have worked closely with Prof Nago and
the Benin delegation, as a member of the
IPU Executive Committee, representing the
African region together with colleagues
from Burkina Faso, Gabon and Lesotho. I
wish to report that overtime, it has become
clear that parliaments are not ver much
engaged in the shaping of international
foreign policy, yet when international
agreements are agreed and signed by
governments, it is the parliaments which
are expected to not only domesticate those
agreements into municipal law but to also
budget and carry out oversight.
Many times parliaments find themselves in
a tight spot where they cannot change the
agreements since they have already been
signed, including terms and conditions. It is
for this reason that the IPU, has been able
as a start to influence the future content of
the reports of our countries to the United
Nations Committee on the Elimination of all
forms of discrimination against women.
Uganda have been consistent and avid
advocates for the full implementation of the
Brussels Programme of Action for the least
developed countries which calls for poverty
eradication and quota free market access
for all commodities from least developed
countries and specifically for the USA to
cut subsidies to their farmers,
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It is now a requirement that the country
report must include an assurance that the
report being presented has been discussed
by the Parliament.
Therefore, as the Executive Committee
of the IPU, we would like to encourage
the governments to include Members of
Parliament on national delegations to the
meetings of the United Nations and other
multilateral organizations and of course
to request the Speakers to facilitate the
participation as well as reporting so that
the outcomes are owned by the people.
Members of Parliament are the
representatives of the people, and as such
are key stakeholders who need to make
an input into agreements entered by the
governments on behalf of the population.
It is therefore a matter of great regret
that the Millennium Development Goals
were designed, discussed and agreed
upon without the national parliaments.
Ironically, civil society has always been
consulted and indeed have a right of
space at meetings of the United Nations,
yet they are not elected by anybody,
they appoint themselves and report to
the donors not to the population, for
instance, during the annual meetings of
the Commission on the Status of Women
which takes place each year, the IPU has
only one day out of the two weeks.
It is therefore important that parliaments
and the local governments participate
fully in the development of the Post-2015
sustainable development goals. This
position has been made to the high-level
consultative group.
in mind the public interest. We should
scrutinize the governments proposals
to ensure that they have equity for both
genders. When budgeting, are we taking
into account the needs of school children,
their infrastructure, their sanitation,
the provision of water, the distances
that children have to walk to get to
school? Have we provided for sufficient
laboratories and equipment, have we
ensured sufficient teachers for them?
Do the ordinary people have access to
land, to capital, to financial institutions
and is it affordable? All these and
more responsibilities sit on our shoulders
because we are their voice.
I will not conclude before speaking
about the need for inclusion of women
in decision-making. Most of our countries
are signatory to The Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women (CEDAW), which is now
more than 30 years. The Beijing Platform
of Action required our governments to take
temporary special measures to facilitate
this, if there is an opportunity to amend
your national constitution please take
advantage of that to make those changes.
Again thank you for this opportunity, Mr.
Speaker and I wish you a successful
Session. AH
At the local level, we need to always keep
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Ushering in the new Commission –
Mercy Nalusiba & Moses Bwalatum
E
arly this year, Parliament elected
four new backbench commissioners
namely, Hon. Reagan Ronald
Okumu, Hon. Rose Akol Okullu,
Hon. William Nokrach and
Hon. Rosemary Seninde to replace former
commissioners Hon. Emmanuel Dombo,Hon.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Hon. Elijah Okupa
and Hon. Jalia Bintu whose term of office
expired in December 2013.
The previous Commission, steered by the
Speaker, Rt. Hon. Rebecca Kadaga, was
emphatic, focused and determined to deliver
and give Parliament a new facelift. Their
two and a half years’ tenure in office saw
the completion of a multi-storied parking
facility for the over 375 MPs and staff. They
also saw to it that MPs embrace a modern
outlook to work and facilitated each MP
with an Ipad, a move towards a paperless
Parliament.
of gender have been addressed with the
commission approving a modern day care
centre for nursing MPs and staff. These are
just but a few of the numerous achievements
the previous commission boasts. Suffice to
say, the new Commission, with faces of
senior MPs that have served for quite some
time in Parliament, promises an even brighter
future for Parliament.
The Parliamentary Commission, a body
charged with the administration and strategic
management of Parliament is established
under Article 87(a) of the Constitution. It is
charged with the responsibility of appointing,
promoting and disciplining staff holding
public office in Parliament but also to review
their terms and conditions of work, including
determining the allowances and privileges to
the Speaker and Members of Parliament.
The Commission also embarked on solving
the longstanding problem of office space
for both the MPs and staff by approving
construction works of new floor that will
accommodate over 80 offices.
Whereas theirs is still a learning process, the
new commissioners acknowledge the role
played by their predecessors and want to
take on the mantle from where they stopped.
The August House spoke to them about their
plans and what their new role means to
them.
With a female Speaker at the helm, issues
Completing the modern parking facility with
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Hon. Reagan Okumu
Hon. Rosemary Seninde
Hon. Akol Rose Okullu
a modern security system and supervising the
renovation of Development House to solve
office and parking space woes are some of
the pledges by the new commissioners.
“We are looking to add value. The welfare of
MPs and staff is priority. We want to ensure
that members are facilitated to do their work.
We also want to enhance professionalism
in the service by having qualified and
experienced personnel. We also want to
ensure that all MPs and Parliament staff have
offices. Hopefully, with the completion of the
6th Floor and renovation of Development
Hon. William Nokrach
House, we shall reduce on the expenditures
on renting buildings outside Parliament,” says
Hon. Nokrach.
Honourable Rosemary Seninde re-echoes
the same concern, citing that a conducive
working environment is key for service
delivery. “You cannot get anything positive
from a poorly facilitated and demotivated
team.”
One of the major challenges observed by
the previous Commission in Parliament’s last
three years has been absenteeism or failure
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13
by MPs to attend plenary and committee
sessions. Hon. Reagan Okumu, however,
says that absenteeism has been generally
due to the many uncoordinated Parliament
activities. “Sometimes committees are in the
field yet there are other ongoing activities at
Parliament; others members may be executing
field trips, abroad or within the country or
visiting their constituents, while others may
not necessarily be interested in the debate of
the day, as not everyone can legislate on all
matters. However, there are members who
are perennial absentees and do not attend to
any business and this has stalled Parliament
business. The Commission will harmonise this,
even if it means having a Shame List,” he
asserts.
Hon. Akol also acknowledges that the issue
of quorum has persistently bogged Parliament
for long. She attributes it to political pressure
especially elections. “Every third year into
Parliament, Members tend to concentrate
more on their constituents as the pressure of
re-election sets in. We need to amend the
Rules of Procedure to provide for the Hansard
to reflect attendance to Parliament work
even outside Parliament.” She clarified that
because of the oversight role of Parliament,
some committees are out in the field,
especially at this time of the budget process,
overseeing what Ministries, Departments and
Agencies (MDAs) have done.
Worth noting also is the commission’s zeal
to improve the quality of committee reports.
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Hon. Okumu is critical of the new system
of political parties nominating people to
serve on various committees and committee
leadership saying this undermines the quality
of work “In the past, one was voted for by
the whole House to serve on a committee
and leadership was based on experience
and expertise. However, this new system
undermines the quality of reports as
committee chairpersons in most cases are
answerable to their political parties. This
stifles Parliament work.” he explains that
the new Commission will look into ways of
standardising the procedure.
Speaking about the Commission’s long
term plans, Hon. Akol remarks that they are
considering amending the Parliamentary
Pensions Act to address MPs and staff
welfare upon retirement.
Hon. Okumu, on the other hand envisions
a proposal to have MPs facilitated with
constituency offices, supported by Parliament,
to do research for the busy MPs, like it is in
other parliaments in addition to construction
of a new chamber that will accommodate all
MPs.
The new Commission also intends to be
proactive by engaging in regular meetings
with the various stakeholders to ensure
that issues of welfare, staffing, recruitment,
facilitation of staff among others are looked
into and timely action and feedback
delivered. AH
Fact Sheet
Name: Hon. Reagan Okumu
Party: FDC
Constituency: Aswa County,
Gulu District
Committees Served:
• Committee on Natural Resources
• Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises
• Committee on Foreign Affairs
• Committee on Human Rights
• Public Accounts Committee
• Committee on Government Assurances
• Committee on Presidential Affairs
• Presently, Member Committee on Natural Resources
and also Member, Committee on Commissions, Statutory
Authorities and State Enterprises
Triumphs: A philanthropist. February 2013, received
a humanitarian award for community leadership in
philanthropy from Kansas, USA, owing to work for the
children, women, peace and development in Uganda.
Secondly, Parliament of Uganda is autonomous today to
perform its oversight role unlike in the Sixth Parliament.
Your passions: I am passionate about governance,
especially issues of integrity, protocol, management and
order. I am shaped by ideology and standing by the
underprivileged in society. I am a very principled person.
I believe people should be of high integrity. If you are on
the wrong, I’ll tell it to your face irrespective of who you
are but when you are right, I do not praise you.
How do you spend your free time: I don’t have free time,
whether when abroad or in Uganda.
Hon. Reagan Okumu is presently the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee
of Administration in Parliament.
Name: Hon. Akol Rose Okullu
Party: NRM
Constituency: Woman
Representative, Bukedea District
Committees Served:
• Committee of Finance, Planning and Economic Development /
Member, Sub-Committee on OAG
• Chaired Budget Committee in Eighth Parliament
• Presently, Member Budget Committee
• Chaired Parliamentary Pensions Scheme Board
of Trustees
Triumphs: I pay special tribute to Hon. Oketcho. Working
together as a team in the Budget Committee, Parliament
of Uganda has become a model and reference point
in Africa in terms of the Budget Process. We have the
Budget Act and the Parliamentary Budget Office, which
most parliaments don’t have. The Budget Committee has
never had a Minority Report and this is because we have
consensus on most issues.
Passions: I am passionate about my constituency and
the health of women. My mother died of cancer, and it is
partly why I have been screening all women for cancer
in my constituency. Most of them do not have knowledge
about cancer and yet it lives among them.
Maternal deaths have greatly reduced in my constituency
because I recently procured an ambulance – a 24-hour
emergency rescue system to reach a health facility within
an hour. My people are very grateful for this intervention.
How do you spend your free time: I do not have free
time. When I chance to get it, I am in the constituency.
However, I make it a point to spend public holidays with
my family.
Hon. Akol is presently the representative of the Parliamentary
Commission on the Parliamentary Pensions Scheme Board of Trustees
August House:
June 2014
15
Fact Sheet
Name: Hon. William Nokrach
Party: NRM
Constituency: Persons With
Disability Representative
Committees Served:
• Chairperson, Committee of Gender, Labour and Social Development
• Human Rights Committee
• ICT
• Presently, Member Committee on Human Rights,
and also Member Committee on Gender, Labour and
Social Development
Name: Hon. Rosemary Seninde
Party: NRM
Constituency: Woman
Representative, Wakiso District
Committees served:
•
•
•
•
• Committee on East African Community Affairs
• Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline
• Committee on Foreign Affairs
Public Accounts Committee
Committee on Social Services
Pioneer Member, Committee on HIV/AIDS and Related Matters
Pioneer Member, Committee on Human Rights
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August House:
June 2014
Triumphs: Persons with Disability enjoy a unique status
in Parliament. I appreciate the former Commission for
the state-of-the-art restrooms they have provided for
persons with disabilities on every floor of Parliament. In
the new parking lot, we have slots clearly reserved for
PWDs at the top most floor.
Passions: I want to leave Parliament a better place
in terms of welfare of MPs and staff and their
performance in their different roles.
How do you spend your free time: I am a musician.
I am an active member of the choir in my church.
Hon. Nokrach is presently the Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on
Human Resource Development in Parliament.
• Presently, Member Committee on Foreign Affairs
Triumphs:
I am glad that we caused policy shifts and
reforms in the health and education sector.
Your passions: I am passionate about my voters. These
are the people who gave me their mandate and they
have not let me down. I have programmes for all
categories of my people in the constituency.
How do you spend free time: Of the 24 hours in a day,
I give one hour to God. Sometimes, I work out in the
Parliament Gym.
Hon. Seninde is presently the Chairperson of the Audit Sub-Committee
of Parliament
Opposition leadership in Parliament changed
By Onghwens Kisangala
I
t is the tradition in Parliament that
leaderships of especially committees
are reviewed after two and a half
years. These reviews saw changes
occur across the leadership strata of
the Opposition in Parliament right from the
Leader of the Opposition to the committee
membership; most of the members switched
positions.
Hon. Wafula Oguttu, the Bukooli South
legislator took over from Budadiri South’s
Hon. Nandala Mafabi as the new Leader
of the Opposition in Parliament. The Chief
Opposition Whip’s office switched hands
too as the Kasese Woman Member of
Parliament Hon. Winnie Kiiza gave way
to the Dokolo Woman representative, the
veteran politician, Hon. Cecilia Ogwal.
The position of the Assistant Chief
Opposition Whip also changed hands
between Hon. Betty Aol of Gulu and Hon.
Roland Mugume of Rukungiri Municipality
who took over. The entire top leadership of
the Opposition therefore, changed.
The last time a similar scenario occurred
in Parliament although occasioned by
Hon. Wafula Oguttu (LOP)
different reasons was after the abrogation
of the 1962 Constitution in Parliament
and the collapse of the UPC-KY Alliance
in May 1966 when the then LOP, the late
Hon. Basil K. Bataringaya together a few
Members from the Opposition crossed the
Floor to join government leaving the Hon.
Alex Latim to take over as the new LOP. It
was the first time when there occurred a
situation where there was a former LOP in
the same House with his successor.
Although other leaders of the Opposition
were switching offices, the fact that they
were being replaced in those offices meant
August House:
June 2014
17
that there was going to be no office in
the Parliament building to settle the former
LOP. This was particularly so because the
new LOP was coming from Bauman House
and it was unthinkable to settle the former
LOP there. To have Hon. Nandala Mafabi
occupy Room 301 in Parliament Building
took a bit of shuffling and negotiations.
COSASE (Committee on Commissions,
Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises)
while Hon. Jack Sabitti handed over to
Hon. Kiiza Winfred the Local Government
Accountability Committee.
It was not amusing, especially to the new
LOP. Hon. Wafula Oguttu pointed out
that all this would be sorted if only the
law was amended to make it possible for
party presidents or party leaders that run
in presidential races and attain particular
percentages to come to Parliament in a
particularly defined category.
The expanded Shadow Cabinet also saw
new faces come in with only one exiting.
The new faces include Hon. Muwanga
Kivumbi of Butambala County taking the
Internal Affairs and Human Rights portfolio;
the Minister for East Africa, Hon. Benson
Obua, MP Moroto County; the Minister
for Kampala, Hon. Osegge Angelline, the
Woman MP Soroti District and the Minister
for Karamoja, Hon. Femiar Wadada,
Woman MP Sironko District.
“All this would not be if my party president
was here in Parliament. He would be the
automatic Leader of the Opposition in
a definite continuity”, said Hon. Wafula
Oguttu.
Only Hon. Odonga Otto of Aruu Country
and Hon. Mathias Mpuuga opted to stay
out of the cabinet although they were
members in the last team of the “alternative
government”.
Literally, all the other leadership positions
in the opposition changed hands. In the
revered Public Accounts Committee, Hon.
Kasiano Wadri gave way for Hon. Alice
Alaso. Meanwhile, Hon. Wadri himself
replaced Hon. Samuel Odonga Otto in the
Government Assurances Committee.
The ambassadors to International
organisations are Hon. Okupa Elijah, to the
Pan-African Parliament (PAP); Hon. Franca
Akello, a Member of the International
Parliamentary Union (IPU); Hon. Bihande
Bwambale, a representative to the
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association
(CPA) and Hon. Christine Abia who
represents the Opposition in the African
Caribbean/ EU.
Meanwhile, besides the Leader of the
In the other Opposition led accountability
committees, Hon. Semujju Ibrahim Nganda
took over from Hon. Patrick Amuriat in the
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August House:
June 2014
Opposition, Hon. Reagan Okumu is the
new representative of the Opposition to the
Parliamentary Commission.
Opposition leaders receive certificates of
appreciation
As the final ceremony of the hand over
process, the Office of the Leader of the
Opposition decided to present the former
leaders with certificates of appreciation for
their contributions in the respective offices
they held either as a Shadow Cabinet
Minister, Committee Chair or Vice Chair,
Parliament Commissioner, Whips and
as LOP. They all received certificates of
appreciation.
It was another first in Parliament. No
Member, not even the Speaker, Rt. Hon.
Rebecca Kadaga who presided over the
function could recall an event ever organised
for the recognition of former leaders of
Parliament in the past. Members were so
pleased by the gesture and the Speaker
reiterated that Parliament should in the
future consider recognizing its leaders in the
routine of their coming and going.
The function was attended by members of
the civil society, leaders of political parties
represented in Parliament including Maj.
Gen. (Rtd) Mugisha Muntu of the FDC, Mr.
Asumani Basalirwa of JEEMA, Ambassador
Olara Otunu of the UPC, Norbert Mao of
DP and Hon. John Ken Lukyamuzi of the
Conservative Party.
The Clerk to Parliament also graced the
occasion which was presided over by the
Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Rebecca
Kadaga. AH
August House:
June 2014
19
‘Avoid being weak,’ President Museveni
advises African governments
By Mohammed Katamba
T
he President of Uganda, H.E
Yoweri Museveni, has advised
African governments to avoid being
weak and hence prevent Western
countries from intervening in their
national and continental affairs.
President Museveni, speaking at
celebrations to mark 10 years of the PanAfrican Parliament (PAP) in Midrand, South
Africa on March 18, 2014, said that by
being weak and under developed, Western
powers were coming back with a new
wave of colonialism.
“You were weak and got colonised.
Fortunately we survived and got our freedom
again. We did not use our freedom to make
ourselves stronger; now they have come
back to start from where they stopped,” he
said.
“After Independence we did not analyse
why we had been colonised and quickly
rectify the problems. We simply relaxed
and enjoyed being in power forgetting that
the lion cannot live with the lamb,” he said
using the Biblical references on how the
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August House:
June 2014
lamb would lay with the lion in heaven.
The Parliament was established in March
2004, as one of the nine Organs of the
African Union. It was intended to “provide
a common platform for African peoples and
their grass-roots organisations to be more
involved in discussions and decision-making
on the problems and challenges facing the
continent.”
President Museveni was unhappy that
Western countries had intervened in Libya,
which, he said, has never recovered,
ignoring possible solutions proposed by the
African Union. He said it was contemptuous
of NATO to prevent a team of six presidents
with the AU mandate to try and resolve the
Libyan issue, from travelling to the country.
He said that although he was part of the
named AU team, he was not on the fateful
flight to Libya.
“African Presidents, on African soil, carrying
out an African mission were ordered by
NATO to go back (arguing) that they
had not allowed them to land. This was
contempt,” he said.
“I want to advise African
governments, you should
not tempt the greedy
people, to come and
colonise us by being weak.
When you are weak, you
tempt the greedy.”
“I want to advise African governments. You
should not tempt the greedy people, to come
and colonise us by being weak. When you
are weak, you tempt the greedy,” he said,
adding that, “It is your fault to be weak, why
would you allow yourself to be weak. Avoid
making yourself so vulnerable.”
President Museveni identified ten factors
preventing African countries from developing
including ideological disorientation by the
political elite; attacking the private sector;
inadequate infrastructure; underdevelopment
of human resource, lack of education
and health; small markets; lack of
industrialization, underdeveloped services,
agriculture and lack of democracy.
The President of Saharawi, H.E Mohamed
Abdelaziz and the President of Mauritania,
H.E. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, the former
President of Ghana, H.E Jerry Rawlings also
addressed the sitting, advocating for the
granting of legislative powers to the Pan
African Parliament.
At the inception of the PAP, it was expected
that it would evolve into an institution with
full legislative powers, whose members are
elected by universal adult suffrage, which
awaits a decision from the African Union
Heads of State Summit.
Uganda’s representatives to the PAP are
Hon. Onyango Kakoba (NRM, Buikwe
North), Hon. Barumba Rusaniya (NRM,
Kiruhura district), Hon. Amooti Otada (Ind.,
Kibanda), Hon. Jacqueline Amongin (NRM,
Ngora district) and Hon. Elijah Okupa
(FDC, Kasilo). AH
August House:
June 2014
21
Whipping the Government and the
Opposition sides in Parliament
By David Ivan Masajjage
Background
The title ‘whip’ dates as way back as the
Seventeenth Century in the British Parliament.
It (whip) was derived from the foxhunting
spot in England where the whipperin hounded all the hunting dogs in one
direction to chase after the fox and ensured
that they did not stray.
The title ‘party whip’ has been adopted by
Commonwealth parliaments to mean the
individual Member of Parliament chosen by
his/her political party in Parliament to act as
their head or manager.
In Uganda, before the advent of multiparty
democracy in 2006, Cabinet had a
Minister in charge of Parliamentary Affairs.
The first Minister for Parliamentary Affairs
was the current Speaker of Parliament,
Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga who was
succeeded by Hon. Hope Mwesigye, the
then Woman Representative for Kabale
District.
With the advent of multi-party politics, the
offices of the Government Chief Whip,
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August House:
June 2014
Opposition Chief Whip and Party Whips
were established by Sections 6H, 6I and
6J of the Administration of Parliament
(Amendment) Act, 2006 respectively and
Rule 14 of the Rules of Procedure of the
Parliament of Uganda, 2012.
The Government Chief Whip
The Government Chief Whip is appointed
by ruling Government from among its
Members of Parliament, as provided for by
the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of
Uganda.
Just like in many other Commonwealth
countries, the Government Chief Whip in
Uganda is a full Cabinet Minister and works
very closely with the Prime Minister who also
works as the Leader of Government Business
in Parliament.
The Government Chief Whip also chairs the
ruling party’s (NRM) caucus through which
consensus on Members of Parliament’s views
are sought on rather controversial policy
matters before being legislated on during
plenary and in Parliamentary committees.
Chronology of Government Chief Whips in
the Parliament of Uganda
Soon after the reactivation of the multiparty
democracy dispensation in 2006 and the
subsequent amendment of the Administration
of Parliament Act, came the first Government
Chief Whip in Uganda, Hon. Kabakumba Masiko
Labwoni, Member of Parliament for Bujenje
Constituency, Masindi District. She was
reassigned in a Cabinet reshuffle to head
the Ministry of Information and National
Guidance.
Hon. Daudi Migereko, Member of Parliament
for Butembe County, Jinja District took over
from Hon. Kabakumba until he was also
reassigned to head the Ministry of Lands,
Housing and Urban Development, a post he
still holds todate.
Hon. John Nasasira, Member of Parliament for
Lands, Housing and Urban Planning.
Kazo County, Kiruhuura District took over
the mantle from Hon. Migereko until he was
reassigned to head the Ministry of Youth,
Culture and Gender where he still is..
The Opposition Chief Whip
The current Government Chief Whip,
Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, Woman
Representative, Bugiri District received the
baton from Hon. Nasasira after a brief
stint as the Minister of State for Urban
Development, a docket within the Ministry of
The Opposition Chief Whip is appointed by
the party in opposition to government with
the greatest numerical strength among the
opposition parties in Parliament, as provided
for by Rule 14 (4) of the Rules of Procedure
of the Parliament of Uganda.
Just like in many other Commonwealth
August House:
June 2014
23
countries, the Opposition Chief Whip in
Uganda is a Shadow Cabinet Minister and
works very closely with the Leader of the
Opposition in Parliament.
The Opposition Chief Whip also chairs the
Opposition Caucus through which consensus
on the Opposition’s alternative views are
sought before being legislated on during
plenary and in parliamentary committees.
Chronology of Opposition Chief Whips in the
Parliament of Uganda
The first Opposition Chief Whip was Hon.
Kassiano Wadri Ezati, Member of Parliament for
Terego County, Arua District. Hon. Wadri
left to serve as the Chairperson of the
Public Accounts Committee and is currently
the Chairperson of the Committee on
Government Assurances.
Hon. Winfred Kizza, Woman Representative,
Kasese District, replaced Hon. Wadri at the
beginning of the Ninth Parliament in 2011
until recently when she was appointed
Chairperson of the Local Governments
Accounts Committee where she is still
serving.
Hon. Cecilia Atim Ogwal, Woman Representative,
Dokolo District, took over from the Hon.
Winifred Kizza and is currently the
Opposition Chief Whip.
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August House:
June 2014
Roles of Whips
The major role of all the whips is to
ensure due attendance, participation in
proceedings and voting in Parliament by
Members of Parliament of their party.
The other functions of all Party Whips
include: Organizing party business;
keeping Members of Parliament informed of
parliamentary business; appointing Members
of Parliament to serve on Standing and
Sectoral Committees; cooperating with other
Whips in putting into effect and coordinating
agreed parliamentary
business; acting as
an intermediary between leaders and other
party members; arranging representations of
party members on official delegations; and
acting as a teller during voting.
Challenges of whips
Party whips face the following challenges:
• Balancing between party interests (loyalty) and knowledgeability of a Member while appointing them to serve on a committee;
• Constitution of new committees and their leadership;
• Allocation of meager office spaces;
• Constitution of foreign delegations;
• Lack of quorum in committees;
Whips are like shock absorbers of punches
from all angles;
The title ‘Whip’ itself scares some MPs who
assume that a whip is there to harass them. AH
Analysing the Supreme Court’s Ruling in the Spirit
of Article 83 (1) (g) and (h) of the Constitution
By Solomon Kirunda
Hon. Barnabas Tinkasiimire, Hon. Wilfred Niwagaba and Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo
C
an a Member of Parliament remain
in their political party while enjoying
the benefits of another political
grouping? Several questions of
this nature have lingered - what
happens to a Member of Parliament and their
seat if, having been elected to Parliament
as a member of a political party or as an
independent, choses to get nominated in the
subsequent election as an Independent or as a
member of another political party all together?
Such questions have dawdled in people’s
minds because of the provisions contained in
Article 83 (1) (g) and (h) of the Constitution of
the Republic of Uganda.
However, answers to such questions have
started trickling in. The first answers were
provided in the Supreme Court Ruling to
Constitutional Petition No. 38 of 2010:
George Owor Vs. William Oketcho and
Attorney General in which the Constitutional
August House:
June 2014
25
Court had ruled thus: “Article 83(1) (g) and (h)
means that if one was elected to Parliament
on a party ticket and joins another party or
becomes Independent, he/she cannot be
validly nominated for election to the next
Parliament on the ticket of that latter party or
as an Independent unless they, at the time of
nomination, resigned or vacated their seat in
Parliament, though such a member is deemed
to have vacated his seat in Parliament upon
participating in party primaries other than
for the party or grouping under which he
was elected. … if an Independent Member
of Parliament fails to vacate or resign from
Parliament under Article 83 (1) (h), he or
she cannot be validly nominated on a
political party ticket for election to the next
Parliament,….”
But feeling aggrieved, the learned Attorney
General appealed against that ruling of the
Constitutional Court to the Supreme Court on
the following grounds:
“(1)That the learned Justices of the
Constitutional Court erred in Law and in
fact in interpreting Article 83(1) (g) and (h)
as nullifying the nomination of Members of
Parliament who failed to resign or vacate
their seats under the said Article;
(2) That the learned Justices of the
Constitutional Court erred in Law and in
fact in holding that Article 83(1) (g) and (h)
means that if one was elected to Parliament
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August House:
June 2014
on a party ticket and joins another party or
becomes independent he/she cannot be
validly nominated for election to the next
Parliament on the ticket of that latter party or
as an independent unless he or she has, at
the time of nomination, resigned or vacated
the seat in Parliament, while at the same
time holding that Mr. William Oketcho
was deemed to have vacated his seat in
Parliament upon participating in the NRM
party primaries; and
(3) That the learned Justices of the
Constitutional Court erred in Law and fact
in holding that if an Independent Member
of Parliament fails to vacate or resign from
Parliament under Article 83 (1) (h), he or
she cannot be validly nominated on a
political party ticket for election to the next
Parliament, while at the same time declaring
that Mr. William Oketcho ceased to be a
Member of Parliament and vacated his seat
in Parliament upon joining the NRM party in
or around August 2010.”
In deciding the appeal, the Supreme Court
bore in mind the principles of constitutional
interpretation, namely: The generous and
purposive rule of interpretation which entails
a broad, liberal and purposive interpretive
approach. This approach aims at giving effect
to the purpose of the article or provision under
construction.
They further reflected on the rule of
harmonisation, which entails reading the
entire Constitution as a whole with no
provision affecting but sustaining each other.
“nomination of the offending MP for election
in the next parliament was invalid, null and
void ab initio.”
And lastly, they bore in mind all provisions
concerning how an issue should be
considered to give effect to the purpose of
the instrument under construction.
On the question of what happens where
such an MP resists vacating or disputes
vacation of his or her seat in Parliament,
the court held thus: “Article 86 (1) (a) of
the Constitution and Section 86 (3) of the
Parliamentary Elections Act could be invoked
for determination by a competent court of the
question whether the seat of the offending
MP in parliament has fallen vacant.”
With the above principles in mind, the
Supreme Court held thus: “… the spirit of
Article 83 (1) (g) and (h) and the intention of
its framers was that any person who violates
it automatically loses his or her seat in
Parliament for the simple reason that the MP’s
integrity and wishes of the electorate need
to be instilled and protected by subjecting
the offending MP to facing the electorate in
a by-election, if he or she wishes to regain
his or her seat in Parliament on that other
party’s ticket or as an independent, as the
case may be, or to seek election to the next
parliament.”
The above notwithstanding, the Supreme
Court hastened to point out thus: “… the spirit
of the article and the intention of its framers
were not to deny such an offending MP the
right to seek re-election to regain his or her
seat or election to the next parliament after
loss of his or her seat in parliament under the
article.”
The Supreme Court observed that there was
no justification at all for the Constitutional
Court to read into the said article, the words,
A casual reading of both provisions of the
law reveals that the competent court in this
regard is the High Court and the Attorney
General has the locus standi to petition it for
such a determination.
For the cited reasons, the Supreme
Court found merit in the appeal and as
an inevitable consequence, overturned
the decision of the Constitutional Court
as regards invalidating the subsequent
nomination.
But that is not the only constitutional dilemma
Members of Parliament and other politicians
are facing. The Supreme Court is currently
handling an appeal as to what happens
when a Member of Parliament is dismissed
from the political party on whose ticket they
joined Parliament. Does this situation fall
within the confines of Article 83 (1) (g) and
(h)? We wait to read the Verdict. AH
August House:
June 2014
27
‘Meet regularly,’ Govt.,
Opposition Whips advised
By Mohammed Katamba
T
he Forum of Parliamentary
Committee Chairpersons, has
recommended regular weekly
meetings between the Government
Chief Whip and Chief Opposition
Whip intended to “harmonize matters before
the House.”
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August House:
June 2014
This was one of the several
recommendations made at the end of
a retreat for the Forum of Parliamentary
Committee Chairpersons, Deputy
Chairpersons and Committee Support staff,
which was held in Entebbe at the end of
March, 2014.
The Committee leadership made wide
ranging recommendations intended
to improve the performance of both
committees and plenary of Parliament.
The recommendations hinge on
Parliament’s collaboration with other
parliaments, institutional relationships,
capacity building and development.
Others include work plans and budgets,
committee reporting, foreign travel and
Parliament’s relationship with the media.
Below are the recommendations:
Collaboration with Other Parliaments/
Bodies
• External travels of Committees should be harmonized and coordinated by the Office of the Clerk to Parliament.
• The Clerk to Parliament shall ensure
that all committees are effectively
serviced at all times.
• The Clerk shall ensure that gifts are made available for all incoming and outgoing delegations.
• Relevant committee chairpersons be notified in time of the visiting delegations and be facilitated to receive and host them.
• Institute pre-travel briefings for all delegations.
• Chairpersons and their deputies should not travel out of the country at the same time when Parliament is sitting.
Any exceptions shall be authorized by
the Speaker.
Institutional Relationships
• Government and Opposition Chief
Whips should meet weekly to harmonize
matters before the House.
• The Clerk should follow-up the roll
out process of IFMS from the MoFPED
to the Budget Office as a measure
to strengthen the oversight and
accountability function in Parliament.
• Streamline relationship in the work of committees and parliamentary fora.
Capacity Building and Development
• Carry out continuous training for the
leadership and members of committees
in relevant areas.
• The Clerk puts in place a monitoring
and evaluation mechanism for training
and development of MPs.
• Set up a database for training and
development.
• Develop a training policy for both
MPs and staff.
Work Plans and Budgets
• CPS to facilitate development of
committee work plans in tandem with the
budget cycle.
• CPS in liaison with committees
should develop a mechanism to help
committees to clear backlog.
August House:
June 2014
29
• CPS shall consolidate and circulate all
annual committee work plans
• Circulate all approved committee
budgets.
Committee Reporting
• Standardisation of committee reports
for structure, form, style, syntax etc
• Institute measures to improve the
quality of reports by targeting the
Committee Leadership, Members and
Staff.
• Set structure, relationship, reporting
and supervision systems for support staff
in committees.
• Promote mutual respect between
committee staff and Members of
Parliament.
• Committees to produce quarterly
reports against work plans.
• Ensure preparation of “legacy”
reports by outgoing Chairpersons of
Committees.
• Committee secretariat be provided
with ipads and laptops to develop
committee reports while in the field.
Institutional Reforms
• Rationalise use of office space by
deliberately earmarking committee
offices
• Formalise recognition of outgoing
parliamentary leadership.
• Innovative ways of enforcing
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August House:
June 2014
attendance be put in place by leadership
of Parliament and the committees.
• CPS to institute committee performance
monitoring and evaluation mechanism.
• Establish a fully fledged Protocol
Department to serve Parliament better.
• Institutionalize periodic interaction
between the leadership of Parliament,
leadership of committees and the staff
through working retreats.
• All committee rooms be equipped with
recording facilities.
Foreign Travel
• Interact with Ministry of Foreign Affairs
to obtain information relevant to foreign
travels.
• A meeting to be held with the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to generate a
Diplomatic Statement on the position of
Uganda on the Anti-Homosexuality Law.
• Utilise medical insurance for MPs and
staff while on external trips.
Relationship with the Media
• Consider designating a media liaison
officer to every Committee
• Reports by committees shall not be
published or leaked by MPs and staff
until they are presented.
• Chairpersons shall inform their
members not to address journalists on
the tentative recommendations before
committees. AH
UWOPA comes of age; Grows stronger
T
he Uganda Women Parliamentarians
Association on Friday 16th May 2014
held an Annual General Meeting to assess
its performance for the last one year in the
areas of fostering the Common Women
Legislative Agenda (CWLA) in the 9th Parliament.
This meeting was also scheduled to facilitate for
the elections of a new Executive Committee, whose
tenure will run for two and half years. The Assembly
turned into a vital platform to assess UWOPA’s
progress and review the commitments made by
the women parliamentarians to advocate for better
services for the citizens of Uganda and particularly,
the women.
At the meeting, the members/participants present,
unanimously resolved to retain a big number of
the current executive members including the
Chairperson, Hon. Betty Amongi returning
unopposed. Some of the new entrants are
the Vice Chairperson, Hon. Harriet Ntabazi
Women, Bundibugyo); the Treasurer, Hon.
Betty Mbabazi (Women, Rubirizi); the
Eastern representative, Hon. Olivia
Kabaale Kwagala (Women, Iganga);
and the Secretary General,
Hon. Sarah Lanyero (Women,
Lamwo), among others.
Some of the reasons
given for the decision
August House:
June 2014
31
UWOPA also focuses on
community monitoring
programmes which have
facilitated MPs to conduct
constituency outreach
programmes such as public
dialogue, cancer screening,
Domestic Violence Act
monitoring exercises and
media advocacy
to retain some of the leadership were
that during the current leadership tenure,
UWOPA had worked on a number of
activities and registered remarkable success.
There has been tremendous progress in
some areas of the CWLA resulting from
intensive advocacy by UWOPA and
partners in and outside Parliament. UWOPA
has managed to galvanize support within
Parliament both among women and male
MPs on key gender issues on the floor of
Parliament. In addition, a great number of
women have stood firm in making gender
related amendments to key bills like the
Oil and Gas; the Company Bill, the HIV
Prevention and Control Bill; and the removal
of taxes on key gender commodities like
32
August House:
June 2014
family planning contraceptives, diapers,
kerosene and Mama Kits among others.
Additionally, UWOPA has closely followed
the implementation of the Rules of Procedure
of Parliament, which guarantee 40%
representation of women in committee
leaderships. This has enabled Parliament
to have a current representation of 43%
of women in leadership of parliamentary
committees. Furthermore, in the bid to build
the capacity of women parliamentarians,
UWOPA has groomed the women for
positions of Committee Chairpersons and
encouraged them to work hard to ensure that
they excel and are able to open more doors
for other women.
UWOPA has also been fundamental in
engendering the parliamentary structures by
pushing for the establishment of a breastfeeding facility to facilitate the work of
young female MPS.
UWOPA also focuses on community
monitoring programs which have facilitated
MPs to conduct constituency outreach
programmes such as public dialogues,
cancer screening, Domestic Violence Act
monitoring exercises, media advocacy in
different districts and high level engagement
meetings which have increasingly influenced
public appreciation of prioritizing and
putting the gender issues on top of the
agenda.
During the last three years, UWOPA has
utilized its comparative advantage and
strategic positioning in Parliament to advance
the cause for women in the society; and
this has been realized by garnering support
from their male counterparts who not only
are privileged by the numbers but also
positioned better in as far as decision-making
is concerned. The Association has also
strengthened partnerships and collaborations
with different stakeholders namely; the
Uganda Police Force, the Office of the
Directorate of Prosecution, Ministries and
most importantly, the civil society in the fight
for Women emancipation and empowerment.
and many other volunteers.
Over the last two and a half years, UWOPA
has continued to carry out exchange visits
to bench mark on best practices and learn
from other parliaments/institutions on key
issues like Gender Responsive Budgeting,
factors facilitating and undermining women’s
participation in politics and many others.
With support from UN Women, UWOPA
visited various countries including Rwanda,
Ghana, Turkey, India and Tanzania. On
Sunday 1st June 2014, a 12 women
delegation will visit the Republic of Namibia
to foster the learning and sharing process.
Because of the unprecedented reputation
built, UWOPA attracts students for internship.
The office receives several interns, volunteers
and researchers from local and international
universities/organisations. UWOPA has
hosted students from USA, United Kingdom,
Finally, the Association is currently working
on the Sexual Offences Bill- formerly, a
Private Members Bill - (through the ongoing amendment of the Penal Code Act);
the amendment of the Evidence Act and
Succession Act; and the Marriage and
Divorce Bill to capture and incorporate the
gender perspectives. UWOPA continues
to follow up on the process of passing
the Gender Equity Certificate, and the
implementation of the gender laws, which
have been passed now and in the recent
past.
UWOPA has also managed to increase
its financial base to a tune of Ushs 2
billion through lobbying and fundraising
from donors/development partners.
The Association currently works with
the Population Secretariat, British High
Commission, Plan Uganda, Austrian
Development Cooperation-GEZA, Irish
Aid, Democratic Governance Facility and
DIAKONIA. The resource mobilisation
process continues to ensure sustainability of
the projects and to facilitate the rolling out of
these projects to all districts.
Social Justice, Peace and Economic
Empowerment For All Ugandans!
By Betty Iyamuremye
Communication and Advocacy Officer
UWOPA AH
August House:
June 2014
33
Bills Passed by the 9th
Parliament as at 19th May 2014
DATE
PASSED
TITLE OF BILL
05/09/11
The Excise Tariff (Amendment) Bill, 2011
06/09/11
The Finance (Amendment) Bill, 2011
07/09/11
07/09/11
09/09/11
The Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2011
14/09/11
DATE
PASSED
TITLE OF BILL
12/03/13
The National Council for Disability (Amendment) Bill,
2010
Stamps (Amendment) Bill, 2011
12/03/13
The Local Government (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2010
The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2011
10/04/13
The Uganda National Bureau of Standards (Amendment)
Bill, 2010
The Supplementary Appropriations Bill, 2011
22/05/13
The Building Control Bill 2012
The Appropriations Bill, 2011
10/07/13
The Anti-Money Laundering Bill, 2009
The Companies Bill, 2009
23/07/13
The National Population Council Bill, 2011
26/04/12
The Prohibition and Prevention of Torture Bill 2010
06/08/13
The Public Order Management Bill, 2011
19/04/12
The Uganda National Meteorological Authority Bill, 2010
21/08/13
The Industrial Property Bill, 2009
17/05/12
The Transfer of Convicted Offenders Bill, 2007
18/09/13
07/08/12
The National Council for Older Persons Bill, 2010
The East African Excise Management (Amendment) Bill,
2013
29/08/12
The Finance Act 2006 (Amendment) Bill, 2012
18/09/13
The Finance Bill, 2013
29/08/12
19/09/13
30/08/12
19/09/13
30/08/12
19/09/13
30/08/12
The East African Excise Management (Amendment) Bill,
2012
19/09/13
The Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2013
20/09/13
The Appropriations Bill, 2013
The Free Zones Bill, 2012
15/09/11
22/03/12
05/09/12
The Uganda Communications Regulatory Authority Bill,
2012
05/12/13
12/12/13
The Higher Education Students Financing Bill, 2013
11/09/12
The Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2012
18/12/13
The Uganda National Commission for UNESCO Bill, 2012
07/12/12
The Petroleum (Exploration, Development and Production) Bill, 2012.
19/12/13
The Anti-Pornography Bill, 2011
19/12/13
The Chattels Securities Bill,
20/12/13
The Plant Variety Protection Bill, 2010
20/12/13
The Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009
13/05/14
The HIV and AIDS Prevention and Control Bill, 2010
06/02/13
The Accountants Bill, 2011
06/02/13
The Geographical Indications Bill, 2008
21/02/13
The Petroleum (Refining, Gas Processing and Conversion,
Transportation and Storage) Bill, 2012
THE ROLES OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT
LEGISLATIVE ROLE
PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA
Article 79 of the Constitution stipulates the functions of Parliament:m Article 79(1): Subject to the provisions of the Constitution, Parliament shall
have power to make laws on any matter for the peace, order, development and
good governance of Uganda.
m Article 79(2): Except as provided in this Constitution, no person or body
other than Parliament shall have power to make provisions having the force of
law in Uganda except under the authority conferred by an Act of Parliament.
m Article 79(3) enjoins Parliament to promote democratic governance.
OVERSIGHT ROLE
m Members of Parliament sit on Parliament’s Sessional, Standing
and other committees. The committees scrutinize business referred
to them before reporting back to the plenary for debate and
adoption.
m Members of Parliament also scrutinize government policy and
administration through scrutiny of Bills, programmes and projects
referred to the committees by Parliament.
REPRESENTATIVE ROLE
m Members of Parliament represent their constituents’ views in
Parliament and also bring to the attention of relevant ministers
different matters of national concern through various motions
debated in the Plenary.
m MPs also address to Members of the Executive (Ministers)
questions for reply on the Floor of the House regarding different
issues in the country.
OVERSIGHT ROLE
MPs monitor and bring to the attention of the Executive
(Ministers) the misuse of government funds, violations of
rule of law and unlawful activities both in their constituencies
and in any part of the country at large, and cause the arrest of
public officials who embezzle public funds.
OVERSIGHT ROLE
MPs oversee the implementation of government programmes
and projects by following up on funds allocated to them.
This is done by monitoring and evaluating the use of funds
allocated to all spending agencies to undertake prioritised
activities in a given financial year.
PASSING THE
NATIONAL BUDGET
m MPs pass the national budget after a thorough analysis
of funds allocated to all sectors by the Ministry of Finance.
Parliament examines the proposals made by government
and makes recommendations.
VETTING PERSONS
Parliament vets the appointment of persons
nominated by the President under the Constitution
or any other enactment. The posts for which the
vetting is done include Ministers, Judges, Diplomats
and heads of statutory bodies among others.
Hon. Cecilia Ogwal bows out of Pan African
Parliament with glowing tribute
By Mohammed Katamba
W
hen she stood up to speak
– to speak about issues
of the traditional family,
women rights and public
accountability, everyone
listened attentively.
Her bellowing voice, reverberated in the
chamber, (now renamed Dr. Idris Ndele
Chamber after the Second Pan-African
Parliament (PAP) President who perished
in a car accident in 2013), forcing the
PAP President, Rt. Hon. Bethel Amadi, to
grant her an extra minute to complete her
presentation.
36
August House:
June 2014
This was the woman; an accountant by
profession, who admits she has never
practiced, Atim Cecilia Ogwal, who up until
March 2014 was the leader of Uganda’s
delegation to the PAP. Now, upon reassignment by the Forum for Democratic
Change (FDC), she had to give up that
role and international position, which she
seemed to enjoy and admitted she would
miss, to become the Chief Opposition
Whip.
During her two years as one of Uganda’s
representatives, she built a base, so
powerful that she influenced outcomes of
several elections to various positions at
the PAP. When the Ugandan group joined
PAP and she was appointed Leader of
Delegation, she convinced her colleagues
to back the Nigerian legislator, Bethel
Amadi to take up the coveted position of
Presidency.
She took many by surprise when she
declared she was leaving PAP, and that
March 2014 would be her last appearance
in Midrand, South Africa, the seat of the
institution.
But when it sank in that she had to leave
Midrand, her friend, Hon. Awad Hag
Ali AHMED (Sudan), the Chairperson of
the Eastern Caucus – comprising Kenya,
Tanzania, Rwanda, Sudan, Ethiopia,
Somalia, Mauritius and Uganda, drafted
a Motion, which was accepted and lined
up for consideration; to recognise her
contribution to the PAP and congratulate her
upon her new role as Opposition Whip.
Hon. Juliana Azuma-Mensah (Ghana) said
she had always admired Ogwal as a lady
who would stand up for women.
“Having seen and met Hon. Cecilia, I think
she is a very strong woman who can take
on this position of Chief Whip, whether in
the Opposition or in government,” she said.
“The government and the Opposition must
work together to make sure the business in
the Chamber flows very well. Your work is
all about mobilizing and looking at (Ogwal),
I believe she is a very good mobiliser.”
Hon. Christine Mutinta (Zambia) said she
had learnt a lot from Ogwal during the
period they had worked together. “I have
learnt a lot from her in terms of humility,
determination and in the way she articulates
herself in debates in the House. She is
motherly and offered free advice to those
that needed it,” she said. “Although I had
known her for short time, she certainly
quickly became my role model because of
her many positive qualities.”
Her colleagues, whom she had led for two
and half years also spoke positively about
her. Hon. Jacqueline Amongin (Uganda)
said she got mentorship from Ogwal, and
that her appointment meant that both the
government and Opposition sides would be
whipped by ladies.
“She has been a mentor to most of us. As
young people when we were growing up,
we saw very proactive ladies like Hon.
Cecilia Ogwal and there is definitely no
reason why you should doubt my being
here. It is because of the mentorship of
such great people,” said Hon. Jacqueline
Amongin (Uganda).
The new leader of Uganda’s delegation,
Hon. Onyango Kakoba appreciated PAP for
accepting the Motion to be moved, the first
such a Motion in its 10 years of existence.
He said, despite being a member of the
Opposition, Cecilia always put her country
first while on international assignments.
“She was an inspiration (during the
Constituent Assembly). It was her
contributions that inspired me as a young
man then to offer myself to stand (for
Parliament in 1996),” he said, adding,
“Hon. Ogwal has made herself worthy of
recognition and we wish her luck in her new
endeavors.”
August House:
June 2014
37
Hon. Cecilia Ogwal chats with fellow legislators at the Pan-African Parliament
Hon. Suad Al-Fatih Al Badawi (Sudan), who
called Cecilia ‘my sister,’ appreciated her
for setting up a mosque in her constituency
despite being a Christian.
“She stood very strongly with and for the
morals of Africa. Whatever she said was
wisdom and I wish her strength, charisma
and success in her new job,” said Hon. Al
Badawi. “Look at this as a pride of Africa,
both men and women to be proud that
Cecilia is going to be one of our people –
in whatever we say about good governance
38
August House:
June 2014
and democracy.”
Hon. Ogwal has been the Vice-Chairperson
of the Committee on Administration and
Financial Evaluation, charged with enforcing
accountability at the PAP; and a member
of Cooperation, International Relations and
Conflict Resolutions.
During her tenure, she moved PAP to debate
and recognise Uganda upon attaining 50
years of Independence, in a Motion moved
by former PAP President, Dr. Ndele, who
was later to die in a car crash a few months
later. In appreciation, Hon. Ogwal moved a
Motion to pay tribute to Dr. Ndele.
“For the first time Uganda moved PAP
to debate a Motion highlighting its
achievements and congratulating us at 50
years of Independence,” she added.
She spoke out against dictatorship,
appealing to African countries to get rid of
dictators and corrupt leaders as the continent
embarks on the next fifty years.
“As we develop the agenda for 2063,
Africa must protect itself and its resources.
We must weed out dictators and corrupt
leaders, who are enriching themselves,” said
Hon. Ogwal.
And yet in another debate, she rejected calls
by a South African MP urging Parliament
of Uganda not to legislate against
homosexuality. “We will not promote a
culture that dehumanizes African culture.
We must pass a resolution condemning
homosexuality,” she said.
Hon. Ogwal said that PAP appreciated
Uganda for its role in stabilizing the region,
through its intervention in Somalia, where
AMISOM is now an African Union force.
In her farewell remarks, Hon. Ogwal
appealed to her colleagues to maintain a
high standard of performance and to remain
united. Uganda’s other representatives are
Hon. Jacqueline Amongin, Hon. Elijah
Okupa, Hon. Barumba Rusaniya and Hon.
Sam Otada.
“The (Ugandan delegation) should
remain united and cohesive regardless
of ideological diversities. I urge them to
continue to promote the image of Uganda
and to put Uganda above political party
politics and personal sentiments,” she said.
When the August House crew spoke to
her, she sounded upbeat about her new
appointment and looked forward to working
with colleagues both in the Opposition
parties and those on the government side.
She said that the position of ‘Whip’ is
challenging, where she has to be “practical,
reasonable and human” to encourage
members to remain accountable.
“I am happy that this assignment will bring
me closer to parties in the Opposition which
I worked with during the period when we
were mobilizing the country to adapt multiparty democracy,” she said.
“My duty will be to agree with the members
on both sides; to agree on issues of national
importance that cut across the ideological
divide. We must put national interest before
individual, party or constituency interests,”
she stresses.AH
August House:
June 2014
39
Kiwanda elected Chair of Commonwealth
Parliamentary Human Rights Group
By Mohammed Katamba
T
he Commonwealth Africa Parliamentary
Human Rights Group (CAPHRG) has elected
Hon. Godfrey Ssuubi Kiwanda as its
inaugural Chair, charging him with overseeing
various human rights issues in parliaments of
Commonwealth countries on the African continent.
40
August House:
June 2014
Hon. Kiwanda (NRM), who is also MP for
Mityana North, was elected during the
‘Africa Regional Seminar for Members of
Parliament on the Role of Parliamentarians
in the Promotion and Protection of Human
Rights’ held at Mahé, Seychelles March 19
– 21, 2014.
At the end of the seminar, legislators
emphasised parliament’s primary
responsibility of ratifying international
human rights treaties, integrating
international and regional norms and
standards in national legislation and
holding governments accountable for the
enforcement of laws.
As Chair of the CAPHRG, Hon. Kiwanda
will help parliaments in the Commonwealth
Africa Group comprising 18 countries
set up Committees on Human Rights and
ensure that legislation approved therein
complies with international human rights
requirements.
“Where there are laws that do not comply
with international requirements, I shall point
it out and try to see that it is rectified,” said
Hon. Kiwanda.
“I’ll also ensure that institutions charged
with enforcement of human rights remain
independent through their funding,” he
added.
Hon. Kiwanda will serve for a term of two
years.
Congratulating Hon. Kiwanda, the
Ag. Head of Human Rights at the
Commonwealth Secretariat, Adv. Karen
McKenzie, said, “This new role places
upon you the responsibility for leading this
group at the critical time of its inception,
as it moves to implement the objectives as
endorsed in the Mahe Declaration.”
The Mahe Declaration contains resolutions
by legislators at the Meeting. The
legislators noted Parliament’s unique
position to influence policies and budgets
at the national level, monitor policy
implementation programmes at local levels,
address the needs and concerns of their
constituencies and act as a catalyst in the
realization of human rights at all levels.
They agreed to take steps to integrate
human rights education into curricula
at all institutions of learning, and to
strengthen it where already in place; to
establish parliamentary committees with
express responsibility for human rights and
fundamental freedoms.
In addition, legislators also agreed to
ensure that human rights norms and
principles are reflected in new laws;
addressing gaps in existing legislation
where necessary. AH
August House:
June 2014
41
Dr. Baryomunsi elected President of African
Parliamentarians Forum on Population
By Mohammed Katamba
Former Parliamentary Commissioner, Hon.
Dr. Chris Baryomunsi has been elected
unopposed as the President of African
Parliamentarians Forum on Population and
Development.
Dr. Baryomunsi (NRM), who is MP for Kinkizi
East, was elected during the Forum’s Annual
General Assembly held in Abidjan, Cote
D’Ivore, March 17 – 20, 2014.
The African Parliamentarians Forum on
Population and Development is intended to
“champion the population and development
agenda” in their national parliaments.
“Its cardinal duty is to strengthen national
parliaments to ensure that they have
institutional arrangements to address issues of
population and development, through forums
42
August House:
June 2014
or statutory committees,” said Dr. Baryomunsi.
He said that his election signified recognition
of the contribution of Parliament of Uganda
in as far as addressing population and
development issues is concerned at legislative
level. He added that his responsibilities will
include advising other parliaments on the
need for forums or statutory committees to
handle population, health and development
issues.
Hon. Dr. Baryomunsi, who will serve a
three year term, said the Forum will give
legislators a strong voice in Africa and will
include building capacity of legislators and
developing model laws to be recommended
for adoption by African countries.
Population and Development is expected to
play a key role in discussions to review the
International Conference on Population and
Development (ICPD) programme of action
that comes to an end in 2014 as well as
the Millennium Development Goals set for
evaluation in 2015.
Population and Development was established
in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2012,
and includes all African countries in its
membership. AH
Another 83 offices for MPs in offing
By Phillip K. Nabyama
D
etermined to create a better
working environment for MPs,
the Parliamentary Commission
has contracted M/S Babcon
Uganda Limited to renovate
the recently acquired Development House
building.
Formerly occupied by the Ministry of
Education and Sports and the Office of the
President, the Development House UShs
2,111,411,040 renovation will create 83
offices and two committee rooms.
The Parlaiment has been constrained by
inadequate office space for MPs. There are
currently only 10 committee rooms used by
13 standing and 15 sessional committees
and the commission rents offices for about
150 MPs in Bauman House while majority
of Members in Parlaiment House share
office space. “Parliament is trying to lead by
example by getting out of rented premises,”
the Sergeant-At-Arms, Mr. Ahmed Kagoye
told august House.
Mr. Kagoye said that the Commission had
met its 20 percent obligatory down payment
to the contractor for the works to commence.
August House:
June 2014
43
Ongoing works atop the East, North and West wings of Parliament Building
M/S Babcon beat two other firms to the
deal. The scope of works on the five-storey
Development House will include partitioning
offices, replacing doors and locks,
renovating washrooms, tiling some offices,
repairing dilapidated areas on walls and
ceilings, CCTV, mechanical and electrical
installations, including the lift system.
Although the renovations were scheduled
to be completed in five months from the 25th
April 2014 commencement of works, there
are concerns that the delay in providing
the statutory approval of the drawings by
the Ministry of Works, who are the project
supervisors, may delay the completion by a
couple of months.
The August House has also learnt that there
are future plans of acquiring Embassy House
when the Ministry of Education and Sports
acquires its own home in Kyambogo.
44
August House:
June 2014
With the acquisition of Embassy
House, office space for MPs will be
history. However, for now, there are still
concerns that the 83 offices created from
Development House and 120 from the extra
floor being constructed atop the East, North
and West wings of Parliament Building may
not be sufficient to accommodate all MPS,
including the 150 members currently holden
at Bauman House.
The new offices atop the wings on
Parliament Building are anticipated to be
completed by August 2014 after about eight
months of works by M/S Seyani Brothers
and Co. (U) Ltd.
“Once works are completed Parliamentary
Commission will decide on how to
allocate the office space but MPs will take
precedence,” Mr Kagoye said AH
The Year in Pictures 2013 - 2014
August House:
June 2014
45
Malaria Campaign in Pictures
46
August House:
June 2014
Katikkiro visits Parliament
August House:
June 2014
47
Commonwealth Day Schools Debate
August House:
June 2014
48
West Nile Torch
Commmitee Sittings
State of the Nation Address
50
August House:
June 2014
Commmitees in the Field
August House:
June 2014
51
Parliament Football Team
A PUBLICATION OF THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA
P. O. BOX 7178 KAMPALA. TEL: +256 414 377 000, +256 414 377 180/1
www.parliament.go.ug
@Parliament_Ug
facebook.com/parliament of

Anti-Gay Legislation - Parliament of Uganda

Transcription

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