The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has told Parliament that she and the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe asked the President to declare a State of Emergency.
A state of emergency is a condition of national danger whereby any government suspends normal constitutional procedures to regain control. A state of emergency is usually declared during national disasters, war and civil unrest, a pandemic or epidemic and other risks.
Uganda on its part declared a lockdown banning public gatherings and public transport.
During plenary on Thursday morning, Kadaga told MPs that last Friday, the President invited the top leaders of the arms of government and during the meeting, they advised the President to declare a state of emergency. However, Kadaga said that it was objected by a cabinet Minister who convinced the President against declaring a state of emergency.
Kadaga’s revelation came after Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa’s statement on whether Government intends to bring supplementary statutory instruments to cover for the new directives issued by the President.
Basalirwa says that law enforcement officers are facing a lot of challenges, citing for instance under what law the curfew was pronounced.
The leader of Opposition Betty Aol Ochan said that although the President has a lot of powers, Parliament has a great role to play.
Article 110 of the 1995 Constitution provides for the declaration of a state of emergency. The article states in part that, the President may, in consultation with the Cabinet, by proclamation, can declare a state of emergency in part or the whole of Uganda if the country is threatened by war or external aggression, when the security or the economic life of the country is threatened by internal insurgency or natural disaster or when there are factors that render necessary the taking of measures which are required for securing the public safety, the Defense of Uganda and the maintenance of public order and supplies and services essential to the life of the community.
*****
URN
And the President decided to act unconstitutionally. Surprising the it is President Museveni now disregarding our constitution!!
I think the Honorable Speaker has gone overboard declaring that which was privy to the parties then.
I think the honerable speaker has gone beyond.
Beyond what, law or impunity, the fact of the matter is are the presidential directives or decrees for that matter backed by any law????
It seems to me that the speaker never took the oath it secrecy, why discuss in public a private matter, more so , something shared with Head of state.
If it is illegal then it is not a secret
Remember this is Africa.every thing is possible
Ya it’s right 2 declare a state of emergency coz da country is facing da pandemic
Must the whole world declare the state of emergency? The right honourable speaker is acting too fast with her advice let’s give it more time