House Throws Out NRA Amendment Bill

Sep 12, 2002

MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday opposed the National Resistance Army (NRA) (amendment) Statute 2002 for the second time, calling for a comprehensive army Bill.

By Cyprian Musoke
MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday opposed the National Resistance Army (NRA) (amendment) Statute 2002 for the second time, calling for a comprehensive army Bill.

The Bill, tabled by defence minister Amama Mbabazi before the defence and internal affairs committee for amendment, was last Tuesday stayed after MPs demanded a more comprehensive army Bill.

The amendment seeks to repeal the NRA Act 1992, to conform to the Constitution that recognises Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) in place of NRA, and deals with issues of structure and control.

Mbabazi assured the MPs that the long-awaited comprehensive Bill to streamline the structure, command and operations of the UPDF would soon be tabled in Parliament after consideration by the Cabinet.

He said it had already gone through army units for consultation and the Army High Command and the Army Council had adopted it.

“It is before the first parliamentary council. There is nothing that I can do at that level to rush the process, If the (parliamentary) committee can help, well and good,” Mbabazi said. Simon Mayende (Samia-Bugwe South) chairs the committee.
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