MPS vote to block press from chambers

By Henry Mukasa

Ugandan MPs have rejected a proposal to allow journalists enter the press gallery with electronic gadgets and another that would demand a roll call of their attendance to parliamentary work.

As MPs continued with the revision of the rules of procedure, Fox Odoi (Independent), the chairman of the parliamentary committee on rules, privileges and discipline proposed the amendment.

He said with technological advancement, members of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) need to access the gallery with gadgets to enable them report accurately and in a timely manner.

Usually, journalists deposit their mobile phones at the reception before they access the Parliament chambers. The journalists are barred from the chambers and the press corps are not allowed to carry laptops, note-pads, recorders, still or video cameras into the gallery from where they listen to the proceedings.

NRM MPs led by the deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah spoke against the proposal arguing that the MPs need to maintain their privacy while in the chambers of Parliament.  Bakka Mugabi (NRM) remarked: “We need our privacy. The press with camera zooms can see who is about to doze off, who has torn socks and short skirt.”

However, opposition MPs; Wafula Oguttu, Patrick Amuriat , Abdu Katuntu and Geoffrey Ekanya argued that journalists needed to be given full access to the chambers “because we have nothing to hide.”

“We are a public institution. We have enacted a law, Access to Information and its operation. MPs carry their electronic devices to the chambers, once we allow the press here they should have their tools of work,” Wafula stated.

Oulanyah immediately retorted: “Access to information talks about only information in possession of Government. All parliaments around the world have limits. Go to the British House of Commons, they have limits.”

UPPA President, Agnes Nandutu said it was unfortunate that the proposal was blocked. “We are going to consult legal minds, do more research and appeal the decision. Meanwhile we shall blacklist the MPs who engineered this rejection,” Nandutu told a press conference.

Katuntu observed that journalists were partners with Parliament since it was in the interest of the MPs that whatever they deliberate is published.

“We can allow them do their work as long as they don’t infringe on the law. We are doing public work and journalists too need to do their work. Their tools are electronic devices,” Katuntu pointed out.

Amuriat noted that MPs are expected to exercise parliamentary decorum and it was unnecessary to hide what they do. “If you are not supposed to come here in a short skirt or torn socks, why do you?” Amuriat asked.

Ekanya reminded the House that whenever special guests like the President and the Queen of England address Parliament the press gets access to the chambers with all sorts of electronic gadgets and wondered why it is not formalized.

In response Local Government minister, Adolf Mwesige, who was the defecto stand in Attorney General, said the press will feed on what the Parliament public relations office records for them. In a vote that followed the ruling NRM MPs who are the majority voted to reject the proposal.