Speaker Anita Annet Among has announced that Uganda’s Parliament will hold sessions in four different regions across the country. This initiative aims to bring Parliament closer to the people and give citizens a chance to interact directly with their representatives.
Planned Regional Sessions
The sessions will be held in the following regions:
- Eastern Region: Hosted by Hon. Karim Masaba in Mbale.
- Central Region: Sessions will take place in Masaka.
- Western Region: Mbarara will host the sessions.
- Northern Region: The sittings will be held in Gulu Lukiiko Hall.
The first session outside Kampala will be in Gulu after the national budget is read. Speaker Among made this announcement during a plenary session on Thursday, May 16, 2024, after discussing the UGX 72.130 trillion national draft budget.
Bringing Parliament to the People
Speaker Among emphasized that this initiative is intended to help MPs understand the challenges faced by common people across the country. “Many citizens only see us on TV and have never interacted with us in person. This move will allow them to meet their representatives face-to-face,” Among said. She added that this will enable Parliament to discuss and address regional issues more effectively.
She directed Hon. Omona to ensure that all issues concerning the northern region are thoroughly discussed and that relevant ministers are present to respond to the people’s concerns.
Positive Reactions from MPs
Dr. Kenneth Omona, the State Minister for Northern Uganda, welcomed the initiative and promised to mobilize people in his region to give Parliament a warm welcome. “I will do my best to prepare the people of northern Uganda for your visit,” he said.
However, MP Muhamad Nsereko of Kampala Central suggested that the sessions should also start in Kampala to address the capital city’s issues, such as potholes and infrastructure problems.
Prorogation of Parliament
Speaker Among also announced the prorogation of Parliament, marking the end of the third session of the eleventh Parliament, which began on June 7, 2023. A session is defined as the period from when Parliament starts sitting after being summoned by the President or Speaker until it is prorogued by the Speaker or dissolved under the Constitution.
Speaker Among proclaimed, “In exercise of the powers conferred on the Speaker by Article 95(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, it is proclaimed that Parliament shall stand prorogued with effect from May 16, 2024.”
Committees and Budget Concerns
Committees that could not complete their work before the prorogation must notify the House, as per Rule 234 of the rules of procedure. As the next session approaches, Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba, acting Leader of the Opposition, urged the finance ministry to avoid unnecessary budget cuts.
“I implore the Government to consider the concerns raised in the minority report, especially for the next budgeting cycle,” Niwagaba said. He called for full release of budgeted funds and better performance by ministries, departments, and agencies that receive the money.
In the minority report presented by shadow finance minister Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, the opposition criticized the sudden revision of the national budget by UGX 13.78 trillion, which differed from the earlier proposed UGX 58.34 trillion. Semujju argued that reducing new loans would help manage the budget more effectively.
This initiative to hold Parliament sessions in different regions is expected to foster better communication between the government and the citizens, ensuring that the voices of people from all parts of Uganda are heard and addressed.
