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The Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi has announced that the Opposition will boycott the upcoming upcountry parliamentary sittings, citing excessive expenditure. The Opposition says sessions, scheduled to start in Gulu, northern Uganda, later this month, will cost Uganda’s Shs20bn At a press conference conducted at parliament, Ssenyonyi expressed shock, that each session in the four regions has been allocated unjustifiable Shs5 billion, leaving the opposition with no choice but to boycott. He emphasized that the opposition was left in the dark in the planning process right from inception due to rare meetings of the parliamentary commission. He urged opposition MPs…
By Fred Kajjubi In a bid to extend its reach to the grassroots and repair its damaged reputation, Parliament has increased the number of sittings to be held in Gulu at the end of this month. This move is part of Parliament’s upcountry sittings initiative, aimed at bringing the legislative body closer to the people. Today, Speaker of Parliament Anita Anet Among convened a meeting with Members of Parliament from the greater north and technical staff to update them on the preparedness for the upcoming House sitting in Gulu, scheduled to commence on August 28. According to Anthony Akol (MP…
By Fred Kajjubi The parliamentary commissioners embroiled in the 1.7 billion pension’s scandal face increasing pressure as a motion to dismiss them takes a significant step forward. MPs backing the motion have officially submitted it to the Clerk of Parliament, supported by 189 signatures. This development sets a legal process that could potentially lead to the commissioners’ removal. The Speaker now has 14 days to table the motion for debate. The backbench commissioners in hot soup include Mathias Mpuuga (MP Nyendo Mukungwe) who took a lion’s share of Sh500m, Esther Afoyochan (DWR Zombo) Solomon Silwany (MP Bukooli Central) and Prosy…
Obongi, Uganda – In a milestone achievement, West Nile has been successfully connected to the national grid, paving the way for social and economic transformation. Dr. Didi Bokha, MP for Obongi County, has commended the government and stakeholders for their efforts, but emphasized that the journey is far from over. “This connection is just the beginning. We must now focus on ensuring the productive use of electricity to drive growth and development,” Dr. Bokha said in an interview. “The question on everyone’s mind is: what next?” To unlock the full potential of this connection, Dr. Bokha stressed the need for…
Members of Parliament from West Nile have elected new office bearers to coordinate the region’s activities, following the expiry of the tenure of the previous leadership. Ayivu Division East constituency MP, Geofrey Feta, who also serves as Vice Chairperson of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee of Parliament, was elected new Chairperson, replacing Zombo County MP Lawrence Biyika Songa. Others elected include George Bhoka Didi (Obongi county) as Vice Chair, Koboko North County MP Musa Noah as General Secretary, and Lilian Obiale Paparu (DWR Arua) as Finance Secretary. The new chair, Hon. Geoffrey Feta, emphasized that the team has agreed…
Today, Major General Richard Otto, the Commander of the Mountain Division, launched a tree planting campaign at the Division headquarters in Muhoti Barracks in Fort Portal City, Kabarole district to augment the government’s strategic program to improve the environment. The campaign, which commenced within the barracks, targets planting 10,000 trees in its first phase. Maj Gen Otto, also the Commander of Operation Shujaa, urged UPDF officers to plant trees wherever they are deployed, leaving a legacy of protecting and promoting a safe and friendly environment. The Deputy Division Commander Colonel Muwonge, who has been tasked to oversee the implementation of…
By Fred Kajjubi The police have expressed support for the Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023 which aims at regulating alcohol consumption in the country. Deputy Inspector General of Police James Ochaya appeared before a joint parliamentary committee of trade and health and advocated for restricting the sale, purchase, and consumption of alcohol by police officers in uniform or on duty. The police argue that the existing laws on alcohol have been ineffective, contributing to problems such as domestic violence and traffic offenses. They propose tightening restrictions on bars and encouraging liquor shops to promote responsible consumption. Specifically, the police request that the bill…
In a special session, Parliament honored the life and services of Simon Peter Aleper, the former NRM Deputy Chairman in Karamoja and Moroto Municipality MP, who tragically passed away in a car accident on Tuesday night. The incident has sparked concerns over road safety and the need for swift action to prevent such accidents. The body of the late Aleper was brought to Parliament, where it was received by Speaker Anita Among, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, and other dignitaries. The session was attended by Vice President Jessica Alupo, Prime Minister Robina Nabbanja, and NRM National Deputy Chairman Alhajj Moses Kigongo,…
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa urged newly appointed Committee Chairpersons to conduct their duties with integrity and transparency to restore public trust in Parliament. . While officiating at the orientation session of the new parliamentary committee chairpersons, he emphasized the importance of openness, stating that they deal with state matters and should not hide. Tayebwa also urged Chairpersons to create a non-hostile environment when interfacing with witnesses, citing complaints from Ministers about MPs harassing them during meetings. Tayebwa encouraged Committees to hold meetings within Parliament to avoid bribery allegations. Tayebwa also urged Committees to scrutinize everything in the open, ensuring transparency…
The Business Committee of Parliament convened this morning to receive the legislative agenda and also discuss increasing transparency in parliamentary business, aiming to address the corruption scandal that has tarnished its reputation. Chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, the meeting was attended by key figures, including Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi, Government Chief Whip Dennis Hamson Obua, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, and other committee chairpersons. The government has introduced a list of 66 bills for the fourth session of the 11th Parliament, as confirmed by the government chief whip Denis Hamson Obua. These proposed laws include amendments to various acts, such…
Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE) have questioned the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) over its selective application of bailouts to private companies. During a meeting with UDC officials and Nile Hotel International Limited, legislators expressed concern over the Shs11 billion investment in Igongo Country Hotel and Cultural Center, made to save the company from losses. COSASE chairperson Medard Seggona led the inquiry, citing several companies that faced worse financial struggles without receiving government support. The committee’s concerns were heightened by Joseph Barungi, Nile Hotel’s general manager, who revealed that the investment was made…
Tanzanian Ambassador to Uganda, Maj Gen Paul Kisesa Simuli, has urged East African countries to draw inspiration from the legacy of former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere to strengthen unity and the federation agenda. “Let us emulate Nyerere’s vision and leadership style, which emphasized unity, equality, and justice. By doing so, we can create a stronger and more united East Africa,” Simuli said. Simuli noted that by emulating Nyerere’s philosophy, East African countries can foster greater unity and cooperation, promoting a stronger and more united region. Speaking at the launch of the Africa Mashariki Fest pilgrimage to Butiama, Nyerere’s ancestral home,…
“Improving Access to Health Care for Older Persons (aka Geriatrics care): a Shared Responsibility- Dr. Boka” Obongi County MP Dr. George Didi Boka has stated that older persons, like children, require specialized health care known as geriatrics. He noted that as a country, Uganda has not invested sufficiently to improve access to geriatric care. Dr. Boka mentioned that the Ministry of Health and its partners are working on a legal, regulatory, and policy framework to improve access to geriatrics care, designing a National strategic plan to scale up geriatrics care linked to NDP4. This, he said will incorporate geriatrics training…
Preparations are in full swing for the upcoming Parliament sitting in Gulu, marking the first regional plenary session scheduled for August 28th. The two-day event will be held in Gulu City, Northern Uganda, and is part of the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among’s, initiative to take Parliament to the people. During the fourth session’s opening, Speaker Among announced plans to hold regional sittings in four parts of Uganda. The Northern Uganda session will be the first, followed by others in various regions. According to Parliament Spokesperson Chris Obore, the organizing committee is putting the final touches on preparation activities.…
Members of civil society organizations advocating for food security and food safety have rallied the government to set aside Shs141bn to the policy and planning departments to finalize the Food Security Action Plan and Food and Nutrition policy review processes in order to reduce levels of malnutrition and stuntedness. The Uganda Demographic Health Survey,2022 showed that child stunting in Uganda had significantly reduced to 24.4% from 29% as reported in the survey of 2016 however, this is relatively higher than the World Health Organization recommended standard of 2.3%. There is regional variation in the proportion of children aged 6-23 months…