MPs clarify demands for oil debate

By Catherine Bekunda and Henry Sekanjako

MPs who petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, to recall Parliament to discuss oil issues have made their demands clear.

The demands are contained in a motion signed by six MPs led by Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Sekikubo.

The Speaker last week ruled out recalling Parliament after 166 MPs petitioned her to call a special session to discuss oil matters.

She said the petitioners had not given a specific reason to warrant debate.

The MPs want the Government to review all oil production sharing agreements in the interest of harmonising them with the law.

Addressing journalists at Parliament recently, the legislators argued that Kadaga did not have any legal basis to deny their demand.

“The Constitution is very clear; it does not require us to give reasons but attain a-third of the MPs signatures. We have given her our reasons. She should not deny us a chance,” Mohammed Nsereko (Kampala Central) noted.

“We are not only interested in the oil agreements. We want Parliament to discuss the entire oil sector,  issues on the environment, the refinery, revenue collection and management,’’ Sekikubo said.

“The Government should come up with the necessary laws within 30 days,” Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba said.

The MPs also demanded accountability of all revenues so far received by the Government from the oil industry.

“The Government should stop any expenditure of oil revenue without the laws on collection of the revenue,” Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri County) said.

The legislators also demanded the removal of some clauses that they termed as unfair to Uganda from the oil production sharing agreements.