Minister justifies delayed tabling of business in parliament
The minister of Information, ICT, and Communication, Mr Frank Tumwebaze has justified government’s delay in tabling business before Parliament.
What you need to know:
- Speaker Kadaga on Tuesday said she would on Tuesday next week expose the Ministers who have been dodging House business.
- Some of the Bills yet to be re-introduced in the 10th Parliament include the Sexual Offences Bill 2016, Marriage and Divorce Bill.
KAMPALA. The minister of Information, ICT, and Communication has justified government’s delay in tabling business before Parliament.
Mr Frank Tumwebaze’s defence of government follows Speaker Rebecca Kadaga
Speaker Kadaga suspends plenary over lack of business
Kadaga told the House that plenary will be suspended for this week because the government has failed to table business
on grounds that government has failed to generate business. Ms Kadaga announced MPs would go on recess before Independence Day, beginning October 6 to November 14, 2016.
But Mr Tumwebaze said the recess was essential.
““Business does not mean that Parliament sits every day, that recess is also deliberate to enable members of Parliament to interface with their voters.” Mr Tumwebaze said.
Mr Tumwebaze’s defence runs counter Speaker Kadaga’s concerns over government’s delay to table business in the House, citing government Bills, which were not passed in the 9th Parliament, but should have been re-introduced.
“The Bills are supposed to be printed but nothing has come. Consequently, the Bills cannot be reconsidered because the members don’t have the Bills. I am asking you to do the needful so that after the Independence recess, the committees can work on the reports,” Kadaga said.
Despite Parliament’s urging, Minister Tumwebaze said it would be funny if Cabinet brought premature business before Parliament, insisting that recess is good for Parliament and the country.
“Government is not in the business of presenting business to Parliament before it is ready,” Mr Tumwebaze argued, before adding: “You cannot, for example, present a law to Parliament before you consult stakeholders before you get the clearance of the Attorney General, the Law Reform [Commission] and before you get Cabinet approval”.
Some of the Bills yet to be re-introduced in the 10th Parliament include the Sexual Offences Bill 2016, Marriage and Divorce Bill, the Retirement Benefits Sector Liberalization Bill 2011 and the National Biotechnology and Biosafety Bill, 2012, among others.
Speaker Kadaga on Tuesday said she would on Tuesday next week expose the Ministers who have been dodging House business.
