Parliament committed to executive
Jan 09, 2012
Since the commencement of the 9th Parliament, the Parliament and the Executive have worked together, which led to the 23 bills, which had earlier been tabled in the 8th Parliament, to be reintroduced in October 2011.
By Hellen Kaweesa
Reference is made to the Sunday Vision’s editorial of January 1, titled, ‘Parliament, Executive should work together’ and a related article titled, ’23 Bills pending in Parliament’ in The New Vision of December 28, 2011.
Since the commencement of the 9th Parliament, the Parliament and the Executive have worked together, which led to the 23 bills, which had earlier been tabled in the 8th Parliament, to be reintroduced in October 2011 through a resolution moved by Sarah Mpabwa
The 9th Parliament found it proper to save the bills and referred them to the relevant committees for consideration.
Following the tabling of the motion by Mpabwa, the Executive was given three weeks to reintroduce the bills. The Speaker in her communication to the House during the first sitting of the second meeting of the first session on October 25, 2011, reminded the Executive that the Parliament had only been able to debate the State of the Nation Address and the Budget for the 2011/2012 financial year since its term of office began. She added that more business was awaited from the Executive.
The bills expected from the Executive would generate work for the parliamentary committees. When committees do not meet, this translates into lack of business to discuss in the plenary, rendering the Parliament redundant.
The Parliament has in the meantime, filled the gap by sometimes focusing on reports, bills and statements that were left hanging by the 8th Parliament.
The public should appreciate that much as the handling of the bills forms the core business of the House, the committees, whose role it is to scrutinise the draft laws before they are tabled in Parliament for debate and passed into law, cannot undertake this activity if the bills are not brought to the House by the Executive.
It is vital for the Executive and Legislative arms of Government to work together and harmonise their respective positions if the House is to perform effectively and efficiently. Parliament looks to the Executive and the public as it strives to fulfill its mandate.