Govt calls for calm during Monday age limit Bill debate

Dec 16, 2017

However, Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi said that it is the military men who attacked Parliament that acted violently

Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda chats with Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze and other Opposition members of Parliament. Photo by Maria Wamala

Finance minister Matia Kasaija has appealed to Opposition Members of Parliament to desist from gagging other members from discussing the age limit Bill, scheduled on Monday next week.

In an interview after plenary on Thursday, where Speaker Rebecca Kadaga scheduled the much anticipated age limit Bill second reading for Monday, Kasaija said that:

"This time around I am really appealing to colleagues, let us not behave the way we behaved last time.

"There is no need to gag people. Say what you want to say, you may not be listened to, you may not be believed, time will tell…but to gag people from talking is not a good idea."

He added that: "My prayer is that everybody will be given a chance, but not members running up beating up each other. That was a shameful thing. I went to China; they were asking me about that, wherever I go they are asking me about the same thing. It was shameful." Kasaija said.

He added that: "Every time the country appears like it is on fire tourists cancel their flights. Last time many cancelled their trips because of what they saw in Parliament.

Every day, we are asking investors to come and invest their money here, but when they see this kind of thing they hold back thinking that Uganda is a risky country to invest in.

The reputation is ruined, let us talk and listen to each other, but not be abusive and derogate. Just argue your point in an honorable manner."

Prime Minister Ruhakana said the Government wants to see normalcy, discipline so that Parliament can transact their responsibilities and enact the laws as the electorate want them to do.

He said that, "There is no cause for alarm," Rugunda said.

Opposition reacts

However, Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi said that it is the military men who attacked Parliament that acted violently.

"The minister should know that military men attacked Parliament, abused the sanctity of Parliament, beat up MPs, some of them still undergoing medical care and we are not sure if they will overcome.

"It we want to lift our national image, leaders should stop acting with impunity," Kyagulanyi said, adding that they are prepared to discuss the Bill on Monday.

"It is clear that Ugandans have rejected the Bill and we shall re-echo just that on Monday." Kyagulanyi said.

 

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