11th Parliament set to start

Jul 19, 2021

Designation of MPs to committees and to the Commission was the final step in setting the stage for the 11th Parliament to start its constitutional mandate as stated in Article 79 (1) of the Constitution of Uganda

11th Parliament set to start

NewVision Reporter
Journalist @NewVision

By Evelyn Angiji

Following the election of MPs, their swearing-in and election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, committees of Parliament were constituted, with the majority of the legislators getting designated to both standing and sectoral committees on 13 July 2021.

The House further approved the four-backbench commissioners, who are part of the Parliamentary Commission.

The Commission, which is the top decision-making organ of Parliament comprises of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, the Leader of Government Business, the Leader of the Opposition and four backbench commissioners.  

Designation of MPs to committees and to the Commission was the final step in setting the stage for the 11th Parliament to start its constitutional mandate as stated in Article 79 (1) of the Constitution of Uganda.

Preceding, was swearing-in of MPs, election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, induction of the MPs (this is ongoing) and election of representatives to the Pan African Parliament. These representatives are expected to report their activities to the Parliament of Uganda.

While the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) named the Cabinet, as well as the Government Chief Whip, the leading opposition party, National Unity Platform (NUP) also formed the Shadow Cabinet, elected their leader in the House (Leader of the Opposition-LoP) and the Opposition Chief Whip. Other parties also appointed their whips.

The principal role of the LoP is to keep government in check. Similarly, the Shadow Cabinet’s main objective is to provide alternative proposals to government, for the better governance of the country.

The role and function of a party whip is to ensure due attendance, participation in proceedings and voting in Parliament of MPs of the party.

With the stage set, business has already been drafted for the first session of the 11th Parliament which runs from  June 4 to  September 30 2021.

Top on the agenda is the debate on the State of the Nation Address (SONA) by H.E President Yoweri Museveni which he presented on  June 4, 2021. Debate on the SONA includes response to the address by the Leader of the Opposition and the Prime Minister’s response to the LoP.

During the first session, the House is also expected to consider several Bills including; the Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2009, the Succession (Amendment), 2019, the Anti-slavery Bill, 2020 and the National Graduate Scheme Bill, 2018, among others. These Bills were saved from the 10th Parliament.

Additionally, lawmakers are expected to consider other urgent business including petitions and motions, particularly those reinstated from the 10th Parliament.

For a better understanding of how business is transacted in the House, Parliamentary business begins at the plenary stage, and later referred to respective committees and back to plenary, where decisions are made, majorly through a vote by the majority.

Rule 156 states that, “in accordance with article 90 of the Constitution, the House shall appoint the Committees of Parliament necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions.

There are 13 standing committees and 16 sectoral committees in the 11th Parliament. For a full list of these committees, please visit the Parliamentary website on www.parliament.go.ug.

Additionally, select committees and Ad-hoc committees will be set up as and when the need arises to investigate specific issues.

Functions of committees include; discuss and make recommendations on bills laid before Parliament, initiate any bill within the committee’s area of competence, to assess and evaluate activities of Government and other bodies, and to carry out relevant research in their respective fields.

Success of dealings of all committees is largely attributed to the leadership, hence political parties select according to their competencies and capabilities.

For example, Public Accounts (Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises will be chaired by the Nakawa Division West MP, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi of NUP. Hon. Ssenyonyi is the party spokesperson, a portfolio he held even before getting elected as MP. 

The Government assurances and implementation committee will be chaired by the Mukono Municipality MP, Hon. Betty Nambooze Bakireke, also of NUP.  Hon. Nambooze is one of the vocal opposition MPs and is serving her third term in Parliament.

The Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development will be chaired by Dr. Keefa Kiwanuka (NRM, Kiboga East County). Hon Keefa chaired the committee on Natural Resources in the 10th Parliament.

The Budget committee will be chaired by Hon. Patrick Isiagi Opolot (NRM, Kachumbala County) who was the Vice-Chairperson of the same committee in the 10th Parliament.

Business from the Executive constitutes the bulk of the work of committees. This is majorly because committee work focuses on bills and Ministerial Policy statements which originate from the Executive and Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

It should however be noted that there are Private Members’ Bills, which are moved by individual MPs.

Committees further undertake fact-finding visits, in their role to provide oversight on government programmes. After such visits, reports are tabled before the House for debate and recommendations adopted thereafter.

Additionally, members of the public get to be heard during such committee meetings where their views are required, especially during processing of bills and reports (during field visits) in which the public has interests.

To this effect, the Clerk to Parliament puts a notice to the public to express interest to make submissions to the committees and thereafter, audience is accorded to them.

In light of the above, participation of lawmakers in both committee meetings and plenary sessions is mandatory, since decisions/resolutions are undertaken in the two mentioned platforms.

Just like any organization whose work is guided by approved policies, MPs are governed by the Parliamentary Rules of Procedure, which are subject to amendments from time to time. 

Rule 112, for example, prescribes penalties for a member found to be consistently absent from plenary sittings while Rule 113 prescribes penalties for a member found to be consistently absent from committee meetings.

It should however, be noted that MPs are also charged with other roles, which include; representation, budget appropriation as well as debating other matters of national interest.

The burden now lies on voters to follow the work of their representatives. Good news is that most of this work, especially that which is of great interest to the public is publicised in the media. This is made possible by journalists representing all media houses in the country, accredited to cover Parliament under the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association.

Further to this, the Parliament social media platforms and website are constantly updated on the work of Parliament, to enrich your understanding and enable you follow your MP. 

The writer is Information Officer, Parliament of Uganda.

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