The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The tenth parliament officially ended its business last night concluding a journey that started five years ago.
But as they walk out, a number of them say that their term of office was a roller-coaster, punctuated with attacks, safety challenges and a virus that almost put the assembly to a halt. However, they say, having a firm and committed speaker of Parliament saved the day and helped them to ensure that the business of parliament continues, amidst the storm.
State Minister for Finance David Bahati specifically hailed the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga for keeping the executive in constant check and guiding the assembly to pass several bills, among them the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets (PPDA ) bill which has unblocked initially stuck projects and the Succession Bill that has opened up an opportunity for girls to inherit property.
Bahati also praised Parliament for passing the Age Limit bill that removed discrimination by age for the Position of the Presidency but also ensured continuity of the National Resistance Movement (NRM ) revolution. He called for the passing of legislation that promotes justice and equity.
He added that over the last five years, 218 trillion Shillings has been spent to implement the National Development Plan which has led to increased export, stock of infrastructure and economic growth despite the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Atim Ogwal hailed the 10th Parliament for sitting during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that by so doing, Kadaga has disproved people who said she cannot manage to chair the house. She reiterated the need for gender parity in the government, including retaining the speaker’s seat for a woman. Ogwal says that in the three arms of government, the top leadership is dominated by men
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Betty Aol Ocan asked the Executive to respect the separation of powers and let parliament do its work of monitoring the executive and other government bodies in order to improve service delivery. She hailed Kadaga for her objectivity and accommodativeness even with the opposition.
Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda praised the Leader of Opposition Betty Aol Ochan for her good working relationship with the government since she assumed office. Rugunda commended Kadaga and Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah for their leadership in Parliament.
He says the 10th Parliament passed and enacted 118 bills, approved 75 loan requests, made 47 resolutions to pay tribute, heard and considered 349 Ministerial statements, considered 653 urgent questions while 49 questions for oral answers were considered and 858 questions for the Prime Minister were answered.
On her part, the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga hailed MPs and staff for working during the lockdown and curfew, and those that continued to carry out their duties even after losing their seats in recent elections.
She adjourned the house pending the dissolution of Parliament on 18th May.
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