Parliament amends rules to allow special groups at EALA

Speaker of parliament Rebecca Kadaga on Jan.19 asked members to vote on whether special interest groups should be represented at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) after a heated debate left the house divided.

Those in favor of the amendment won replacing Rule 13 of the Rules of Procedure said to be inconsistent with the verdict of the East African Court of Justice in a court case in 2012. The replaced provision provides for the speaker ensuring that members elected under Rule 12 in as much as it is feasible, represent the various political parties represented in the house, shades of opinion, gender and other special interest groups in Uganda.

With the current parliament having members of NRM, FDC, DP, UPC and Independents as well as representatives of workers, youths and people with disabilities as special interest groups, it means the status quo that grants six out of the nine slots to NRM, two to the opposition and one to independents might have to be changed.

****

editor@independent.co.ug