JEEMA wants parliament speakers to lose political seats

By Henry Sekanjako

The Justice Forum Political party commonly known as JEEMA, has called for a constitution amendment ahead of the 2016 general elections to have the speaker and deputy speaker of parliament lose their political party  seats once elected to such positions.

According to JEEMA, the provision would help the country have a vibrant and independent parliament whose decisions will not influenced by any political party.

“The reading on the wall is clear; there are hard times ahead for democratic forces in this country and the institution of parliament,” said Asuman Basalirwa, the President JEEMA.

His remarks follow the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) decision last week to reject speaker Kadaga’s ruling on the expelled NRM rebel MPs Theodore Ssekikubo, Mohammed Nsereko, Barnabas Tinkasimire and Wilfred Niwagaba who she said should retain their parliamentary seats.

Kadaga is a member of the party’s central executive committee (CEC).

“As expected, the NRM electoral commission denounced her decision and vowed to go to court, this questions the wisdom and more importantly, the loyalty of the speaker, who is herself a member of the CEC that expelled the MPs,” noted Basalirwa.

Basalirwa who was over the weekend addressing journalists at the party headquarters in Mengo said having an independent minded speaker, Uganda would realize its political democracy.

Meanwhile JEEMA expressed disappointment over President Museveni’s remarks over the minimum wage bill which he said would scare away potential investors if enacted into law.

It however advised the workers movement to change its demand for minimum wage to that of living wage if their struggle is to carry lasting meaning.

“We believe that a minimum wage even when granted is not often equitable. Ugandans need a living wage, not a minimum wage,” said Basalirwa.