______________________

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has called for meaningful usage of digital technology to promote democracy in the East African region.

“Let us leverage the power of digital technology to reimagine the future of parliamentary monitoring and build stronger, more inclusive democracies for generations to come. Let us work towards a future where our parliaments are transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people they serve,” Among says.

She points out that in this digital age, where technology permeates every aspect of life, Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations (PMOs) are, therefore, presented with an opportunity for relatively easier access to and dissemination of information.

“Digital technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to enhance parliamentary monitoring efforts, from improving access to information to fostering greater citizen participation in governance processes,” Among adds. 

The Speaker made remarks in a speech delivered on her behalf by Government Chief Whip Denis Obua during the opening of the second East Africa regional Parliamentary Monitoring Organisations conference at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

The conference was organised by the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) under the theme: Digital Technology and Parliamentary Monitoring: (Re)imagining Futures and Possibilities.

Empowering lawmakers

Among argued that embracing digital technology in parliamentary monitoring, empowers lawmakers with evidence-based decision-making processes.

“By harnessing data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), PMOs can analyse vast amounts of parliamentary data to extract meaningful insights, trends, and patterns. This analytical approach enables evidence-based advocacy and policymaking, leading to more informed and effective decisions that directly benefit the citizens we serve,” she said.

The Speaker noted that in light of the rapidly changing digital technology, it is essential for PMOs to recognise the transformative potential of digital tools such as AI and the Open Parliament Index (OPI).

She observed that these tools not only enable legislators to enhance transparency and accountability but also empower citizens to actively engage in democratic debates and hold their representatives accountable.

Associated challenges

Among cautioned lawmakers that although digital technology comes with opportunities, they should take note of some challenges associated with it.

“The digital revolution has not only made data and information easily accessible but has also posed threats to freedom of expression and access to information. As PMOs navigate this digital landscape, they must constantly adapt to changing political tides while ensuring their relevance and effectiveness in promoting parliamentary transparency and accountability,” the Speaker added.

The Speaker underscored the importance of parliamentary systems which serve as fundamental cornerstones of democracy through people representation, oversight, and legislation.

She noted that the effectiveness of parliaments in the realisation of this objective relies significantly on openness, transparency, accountability, and adequate citizen engagement, which are core tenets of democratic governance.

Translate Hansard into other languages

Dr Sarah Bireete, the executive director of Centre for Constitutional Governance, called for translation of Hansard's information into local languages to enable citizens to understand pointing out that it’s only 12 million Ugandans can access the internet to take advantage of digital technology.

Bireete underscored the need to simplify data collected in Parliamentary Hansards as it is bulky in the current form.

The civil society activists appealed to Parliament to hold sessions in the countryside to enable citizens participate and air critical issues affecting them.

“We need to invent the wheel and push Parliament to have sessions in regions say in Gulu, Kasese, and others. This is when we shall make a breakthrough in parliamentary democracy,” Bireete said.

The conference attracted lawmakers from the East African region, members of civil society, and the former Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kiiza among others.