MPs want Nebanda debate back

Parliament

A group of lawmakers behind the botched petition to recall the House yesterday resolved to table a substantive motion to discuss the separation of powers, the coup debate and government’s decision to refund donor money without parliamentary approval.

The decision was reached after a closed-door meeting with the Speaker on the fate of the issues raised in their petition. Sources told the Daily Monitor yesterday that the failure by the business committee to include the debate surrounding the arrest of MPs over their comments on the death of Butaleja Woman MP Cerinah Nebanda on the Order Paper angered MPs.

Kadaga accused
Some of the MPs accused the Speaker of conniving with the Executive to deny Parliament the opportunity to debate the matter. But during the meeting with MPs, Ms Rebecca Kadaga reportedly told them that the matter never came up for debate in the House because the committee that she chaired never included it on the agenda. Addressing the press yesterday, Mr Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga) said they will resurrect their petition in form of a motion.

Motive?
“We want to move by way of motion so that space is allocated on the Order Paper to enable Parliament take a position on the separation of powers, the attack on Parliament, and the diversion of consolidated funds to pay donors without parliamentary approval so that these matters are put to rest once and for all,” said Mr Ssekikubo.

The Speaker had promised to give a statement when Parliament reconvenes but she has not done this. MPs recently protested the speaker’s decision to block the recall of Parliament from recess.

Mr Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East) said they have not given up on petitioning the Constitutional Court over the legality of withdrawing signatures from House peititons.
“We should be serving the Attorney General anytime next week with summonses,” he said.

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