Yes, speakers and ministers should not be MPs

Aug 18, 2009

EDITOR—Last week, the New vision published an article by Prime minister Apolo Nsibambi entitled “Speakers should not hold elective posts”. This is long overdue. Prof Nsibambi is spot-on.

EDITOR—Last week, the New vision published an article by Prime minister Apolo Nsibambi entitled “Speakers should not hold elective posts”. This is long overdue. Prof Nsibambi is spot-on.

Speakers and their deputies should stop representing their constituencies upon assuming offices. How do you expect a speaker of a nation’s parliament to push for the problems of his or her constituents at the expense of national issues and vice versa?

But this should also apply to the vice-president and ministers because upon assuming such offices, one becomes answerable to all Ugandans beyond their constituencies. It will help create more employment especially at the moment when the number of ministers is threatening the country’s economy.

I believe if ministers relinquished their parliamentary seats, they would work harder for fear of being dropped in reshuffles and avoid humiliation in the score card reports by the African Leadership Institute.
Andrew Gulumaire
Jinja

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