Parliament to replace sacked commitee heads

Mar 20, 2011

PARLIAMENT is set to replace committee leaders when it resumes business tomorrow after weeks in recess.

By Joyce Namutebi

PARLIAMENT is set to replace committee leaders when it resumes business tomorrow after weeks in recess.

The Speaker, Edward Sekandi, had sent Parliament on recess to allow MPs get enough time for their campaigns and to participate in the general elections, which took place in February.

High on Tuesday’s agenda includes replacing committee chairpersons and vice-chairpersons who were dismissed from Parliament following last month’s court ruling that affected over 70 legislators, the parliamentary commissioner, Justine Kasule Lumumba, said yesterday.

Also to be replaced is parliamentary commissioner, David Guma Gumisiriza, who is facing murder charges.

It is alleged that Guma, the Ibanda North MP, and his co-accused, murdered Moses Ainebyona at Katojo trading centre on February 17.

The deceased was a staunch supporter of Xavier Kyoma, who was Gumisiriza’s opponent and the NRM flag-bearer in the parliamentary elections. Gumisiriza is out on bail.

The Constitutional Court last month ruled that it was illegal for independent MPs to stand for elections on any party ticket and also for party MPs to contest as independents without resigning their positions first.

The ruling was contained in a judgment of a case filed by George Owor against the Attorney General and William Okecho, the NRM flag-bearer for West Budama North constituency.

Okecho and the Attorney General petitioned the Supreme Court to stay the execution of the ruling, which court agreed to.

The court, however,upheld the ruling that the MPs were illegally in Parliament.

In the new session, Parliament will also handle the Retirements Benefits Authority Bill 2010, the Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2010, and the Capital Markets Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2010.

The public relations officer, Hellen Kaweesa, said the business committee of Parliament chaired by the speaker would sit on Tuesday morning to see what is pending.

Other pending work includes the CHOGM probe committee report and the controversial anti-homosexuality Bill.

The term of office of this parliament runs till May when the newly elected Members of Parliament will be sworn in.



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