By Felix Osike and Henry Mukasa

THE Cabinet wants Parliament to reconsider a motion calling for a referendum on political systems.
It was defeated on Thursday when the Government failed to raise the 148 MPs necessary to pass the motion. It is now unclear whether a referendum can be held in June.

A total of 142 MPs voted in favour of the motion moved by state minister for constitutional affairs Adolf Mwesige. Seventeen MPs voted against it while only Dr. Johnson Nkuuhe (Isingiro South) abstained.

Rule 53 (3) says, â€œIt is out of order to attempt to reconsider any specific question upon which the House has come to a con
clusion during the current session, except upon a substantive motion for rescission.â€

Opposition Members of Parliament argued that the referendum was not necessary because there was a general consensus in the country for the return of pluralism.

In 2003, the Movement top organs voted for the re-introduction of multipartyism.

The partyists urged the Government to opt for a cheaper method of changing the political system through petitioning Parliament and district councils as provided under article 74 (2) of the Constitution.

The Electoral Commission had budgeted for sh30b for the plebiscite but officials recently said the Government reduced the budget to sh17b.

â€œI hereby give notice that I intend to move a motion under rule 53 (3) for the reconsideration of the conclusion of Parliament on the question put by the Speaker on the motion for a resolution of Parliament to request the holding of a referendum for the change of political system under article 74 (1) (a) of the constitution,â€ Mwesige said in an April 22 letter to Speaker Edward Ssekandi.

Sources said Movement planners were yesterday afternoon locked in a coordinatorsâ€™ meeting ahead of the Movement caucus sitting today.

Travelers thrilled with MV Pearls’ return

Many times, travelers have been hiring canoes and engine boats to connect from Masaka to Kalangala due to delays in a single vessel.

MV Pearl (Photos by Samuel Nkuba)

By NewVision Reporter

Journalists @NewVision