The week got off to a grim note for Parliament, rocked by the death of a member of the 11th House, shot and killed by his bodyguard who subsequently terminated his own life.

On the legislative front, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 was passed for a second time after it was returned for scrutiny by the President, but its passing wasn’t without a dose of drama as the Speaker squared off with the Deputy Attorney General on matters of principle. That and more in our weekly Parliament roundup through Miriam Namutebi's camera lens.

State Minister shot dead
Speaker Anitah Among announced to a full house of the unfortunate shooting of labour state minister and Oyam North MP, Charles Engola, by his bodyguard Wilson Sabiiti. Engola was one of the frontbenchers who had last been in Parliament the week before. She asked members to rise and observe a moment of silence. His body is expected to lie in state next week.

Members of Parliament react to the news of State Minister Charles Engola's death. The Speaker made the announcement during plenary sitting on 02 May 2023. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

Members of Parliament rise to observe a moment of silence in memory of State Minister Charles Engola. This was during plenary on 02 May 2023. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

Members of Parliament rise to observe a moment of silence in memory of State Minister Charles Engola. This was during plenary on 02 May 2023. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

Anti-Homosexuality Bill passed
Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 on a second vote with amendments to five clauses as recommended by President Yoweri Museveni. 340 Members of Parliament voted yes to the Bill.

A full house during the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 voting. The bill with amendments. This was during plenary on 02 May 2023. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

Fox Odoi, West Budama North MP presents a minority report during plenary on 02 May 2023. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

A screen shows Members of Parliament on Zoom during the voting process for ht Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

Cissy Namujju, Lwengo Woman MP carries another Member of Parliament during the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2023 voting process. The house was full with the Speaker announcing free sitting for MPs. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

Father Charles Onen, Gulu city MP with other MPs have a light moment during plenary on 02 May 2023. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

Members of Parliament celebrate after the Anti-Homosexuality Bill was passed during plenary on 02 May 2023.Photo by Miriam Namutebi

The President returned the Bill to the House citing language and unclear definitions of the acts.

Police brutality
Female legislators are still on the path of getting justice for the brutality they faced last week as they tried to march to the internal affairs ministry to deliver a petition. Well this week, dressed in black gomesis, they presented their issue on the floor and this kicked off a hot debate during Wednesday’s plenary.

Asuman Basalirwa, Bugiri Municipality MP and mover of the Anti Homosexuality Bill 2023, presents during plenary on 02 May 2023. Photo by Miriam Namutebi.

RDCs were cited among those who blocked Women’s Day functions and MPs demanded to know who is responsible for giving such orders. Speaker Among tasked the internal affairs minister to investigate all security personnel who disrupted Women’s Day celebrations in different areas.

Adeke Ann, Soroti district MP during plenary on 03 May 2023.

During this heated debate, Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, attempted to block the Prime Minister from presenting a statement on Police brutality before she could tell the House the whereabouts of Ugandans that have been allegedly kidnapped by security organisations.

World Press Freedom Day
World Press Freedom Day is commemorated by members of the fourth estate who get to celebrate their hard work of informing society.

Members of Parliament led by Mityana Woman MP Joyce Bagala and accompanied by the Uganda Parliament Press Association Committee, held a press conference to highlight the plight of the fourth estate citing issues of welfare, no pay by some media houses and torture of journalists by security organisations. Speaker Among also called on media owners to pay journalists.

Joyce Bagala, Mityana Woman MP addresses the press in commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day on 03 May 2023.

Muwadda Nkuyinji, Kyadondo East MP addresses the press in commemoration of World Press Freedom Day on 03 May 2023.

Kagoma County Mp Moses Muwanika gestures during a meeting with the DPP and Police to address issues related to police brutality of female legislators.

DPP’s flowers
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Jane Frances Abodo, appeared before the Parliament’s Committee on Human Rights, where she assured MPs that the ongoing investigations into the Karamoja iron sheets saga will be concluded next month. On a lighter note, she was surprised why the Office of the DPP was not given flowers for its probe. “I thought that the Office of the DPP and CID would be given flowers but people instead are telling us that we are taking so long,” she said.

Jane Frances Abodo, DPP appearing before the Human rights committee on 04 May 2023.

The House also handled tax amendments to the Value Added Tax Bill 2023, controversially removing tax exemptions on elderly and children’s diapers. Starting July 1, 2023, URA is to tax the said items.

Fox Odoi, Chairperson of the Human rights committee presides over a meeting on 04 May 2023.