Will the committees of 9th parliament sustain the heat?

By Stephen Asiimwe

THE British parliamentary system or west minister model that we inherited at the independence did not initially have strong committee system. The, main system consisted of government and opposition sides in parliament, the opposition go its way through questions to the leader government business in the house or ministers.

But as economies and democracies became more sophiscated, the question the time did not provide enough time for parliament to analyze, in details, what the executive was doing, in the case of United Sates of America system, a strong committee (secretaries) has existed for a long time in the congress.

One of the reasons is that since their ministers do not sit in the congress (senate or House of Representatives) a mechanism had to be found whereby congress could interrogate the executive. A minister can be called by a committee or can ask to meet a committee. This contact is important for a democracy to nourish and the ministry to achieve its goals in Uganda experience, our parliamentary system has been west minister type, over the last three parliaments or so, the committee structure has grown in status and influence.

Most Ugandans were used to public Accounts committee, which always chaired by a member from opposition, it has actually “threatened” or “harassed” senior government officers. Today parliament has committees covering every ministerial sector.

The recent report on bicycles presented in parliament by Hon. Kintu Florence, chairperson of Public Service and Local Government gave Ugandans hope and most especially Local Council 1 chairpersons who have been patiently waiting for the token of appreciation in a bicycle.

We shall only congratulate the committee when bicycles arrive, like the inspector General of government the committees may decide to withdraw its report. I pray that other committees also may bite. These committees help members to interact and discuss issues in detail than would be the case of question session in parliament.

The committee session are often covered by the press and except for other reasons of security, this should be encouraged for even the public to audit their representatives. It only by having such open and transpired sessions will Ugandans know the truth, it is their right to know and is part of democratic process.

However, the parliament and parliamentary committees must pay attention to the veracity of allegations against the accused; there is no threshold of culpability to protect the innocent from preying enemies.

For the case of 'bicycle' committee as now publicly known, the officials in the ministry of local government have little to regret but to accept responsibility and life goes on. To crush old and prevent new corruption, the war must be fought scientifically impartially and in good faith, acquiring a proactive life and purpose of its own, professionally anchored in the rule of law and free from political machinations.

Only thoroughness and fidelity to due process will determine guilt and stop the war from becoming a political tool of new impunity and corruption by opportunists and wheeler dealers cashing in public outrage that may be either a mob or misdirect proper investigations as Mao Stung said “ you have no information, no right to speak'

Since committees are empowered to summon any witnesses and engage expertise, including state agencies, to help investigate and nail culprits: our hop e will be raised when committee does a salar work and probably where we don't find minority report. It is important to note that parliament had started very well; our wish is only sustenance on facts and evidence that we shall have all won the battle of parliamentary democracy versus Mobracy our constitution talks about leadership and integrity, fake executive, judiciary, Parliament and public servants, since elections ended with dozens of leaders at every level.

It should be our daily program to emphasize leadership with integrity, it is not easy to fight corruption, but together we can.

The writer is a pan Africanist