MPs want government to explain weak shilling
Jun 28, 2011
PARLIAMENT has demanded an explanation from the Government on the continued depreciation of the shilling against the dollar.
By Joyce Namutebi
PARLIAMENT has demanded an explanation from the Government on the continued depreciation of the shilling against the dollar.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, yesterday gave the Government a few days to explain the concern raised by Katerera MP Hatwib Katoto (NRM) and other MPs.
Katoto said the depreciation of the shilling was affecting the business community and the economy.
He noted that Ugandans would suffer if the matter was not addressed.
Bugweri MP Abdu Katuntu (FDC) also noted that the matter being raised was crucial to the business community.
“We are joking with people’s lives. Businesses are winding up,†Katuntu said in response to what the third deputy Prime Minister and deputy leader of Government business in Parliament, Moses Ali, had said.
Ali had said the Government would cooperate in finding out what was happening. He said the response would be given by technical people at a time that would be decided by the Government.
Katuntu said the Government was asleep and demanded a serious response from the Government about what was going on in the economy.
The shadow minister for finance, Geoffrey Ekanya (FDC), said this was a matter that the front bench could handle without waiting for technical people.
Parliament also expressed concern on the recent deaths in various parts of the country due to lightning.
MPs requested the Government to explain what was happening and how they were going to address the matter.
The concern was raised by Kyenjojo district Woman MP Lyndah Timbigamba (NRM).
Timbigamba said she had received calls that some cows had been struck by lightning in her area.
Terego MP Kassiano Wadri (FDC) noted that in Budondo, in Jinja district, lightning killed pupils in a UPE facility, yet such a facility was supposed to have protection gadgets against lightning.
Katuntu said public buildings must be built according to the required standards.
Government Chief Whip John Nasasira said standard buildings must have lightning conductors. He said the education ministry would ensure that schools have these gadgets.
Kadaga requested the Government to come up with a statement on how they were going to address the matter.
PARLIAMENT has demanded an explanation from the Government on the continued depreciation of the shilling against the dollar.
The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, yesterday gave the Government a few days to explain the concern raised by Katerera MP Hatwib Katoto (NRM) and other MPs.
Katoto said the depreciation of the shilling was affecting the business community and the economy.
He noted that Ugandans would suffer if the matter was not addressed.
Bugweri MP Abdu Katuntu (FDC) also noted that the matter being raised was crucial to the business community.
“We are joking with people’s lives. Businesses are winding up,†Katuntu said in response to what the third deputy Prime Minister and deputy leader of Government business in Parliament, Moses Ali, had said.
Ali had said the Government would cooperate in finding out what was happening. He said the response would be given by technical people at a time that would be decided by the Government.
Katuntu said the Government was asleep and demanded a serious response from the Government about what was going on in the economy.
The shadow minister for finance, Geoffrey Ekanya (FDC), said this was a matter that the front bench could handle without waiting for technical people.
Parliament also expressed concern on the recent deaths in various parts of the country due to lightning.
MPs requested the Government to explain what was happening and how they were going to address the matter.
The concern was raised by Kyenjojo district Woman MP Lyndah Timbigamba (NRM).
Timbigamba said she had received calls that some cows had been struck by lightning in her area.
Terego MP Kassiano Wadri (FDC) noted that in Budondo, in Jinja district, lightning killed pupils in a UPE facility, yet such a facility was supposed to have protection gadgets against lightning.
Katuntu said public buildings must be built according to the required standards.
Government Chief Whip John Nasasira said standard buildings must have lightning conductors. He said the education ministry would ensure that schools have these gadgets.
Kadaga requested the Government to come up with a statement on how they were going to address the matter.