Nankabirwa to report late-coming ministers

Parliament. Cabinet ministers who report after 2pm or skip plenary sessions at Parliament risk being reported to the President under new operating rules.
The new policy, presented to Cabinet yesterday, is meant to ensure they attend sessions to promptly explain some national issues.
“I have told my colleagues that I will, on a weekly, basis be informing them about their performance in the House,” the Government Chief Whip, Ms Ruth Nankabirwa, said during plenary yesterday.
“Very soon, you will be seeing business unusual; you will be having ministers in the House on time. If the problem persists, I will refer it to higher authorities,” Ms Nankabirwa added.
Her remarks come against the background of the absence of Mr Matia Kasaija, the minister for Finance from Parliament yesterday yet he had been scheduled to present the National Budget Framework Paper 2015/16 and the Report on Public Debt, Grants and Guarantees as required by law.
Mr Kasaija’s absence forced Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah to adjourn the House for 15 minutes. Mr Aston Kajara, the state minister for Finance, later showed up to present the documents.
Ms Nankabirwa claimed that officials from Finance turned up late because they had to wait for the National Budget Framework Paper, which was printed late.
However, Aruu County MP Odonga Otto said some ministers take Parliament for granted.
Mr Oulanyah also noted that ministers’ absence from Parliament “is becoming a problem”.
“Two o’clock means two o’clock. You have matters that have been agreed upon in advance; that they should be handled. Since when did two o’clock become three o’clock,” he asked.
Parliament is expected to be adjourned today, to allow MPs comb through the 2015/16 Budget estimates ahead of May 31 deadline.

Reported by Nelson Wesonga, Solomon Arinaitwe & Yasiin Mugerwa

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