Ministers Shun PAFO Launching

May 10, 2002

Ministers yesterday shunned the launching of the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO), a parliamentary pressure body aimed at addressing discrepancies in the governance of the country.

By Milton OlupotMinisters yesterday shunned the launching of the Parliamentary Advocacy Forum (PAFO), a parliamentary pressure body aimed at addressing discrepancies in the governance of the country.There has been speculation that a group of MPs intend to launch a political party disguised as a parliamentary pressure group.The launch coincides with a seminar on the theme “Uganda Economic performance, trends, realities, facts and figures.” The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Gerald Ssendaula, who was supposed to deliver a keynote address and present an overview of the national economy neither appeared nor sent any apologies. Ethics minister Miria Matembe attended. The chairman of PAFO, Emmanuel Dombo (Bunyole), said during the launching that, “a new political dispensation emerging from the roots of PAFO can not be ruled out.”He said “Many circles were suspicious thatparliamentarians werelaunching a political party, but we only want to strengthen parliament and make it independent.”Wandera Ogalo of the East African Legislative Assembly, launched the new organisation. He said PAFO will offer the opportunity to strengthen parliament and encourage networking between the executive and the legislature.He regretted that there was a misconception about the forum, saying that was unfortunate.He said it was speculated that they were launching a party and ministers and civil servants shunned it.He advised MPs to initiate policies rather than waiting for the executive to pass them. He said parliaments in Uganda had since Independence, abdicated their responsibilities to the nation.Nathan Nandala Mafabi (Budadiri West), also chairman parliamentary committee on economy criticised the government for saying the economy was growing, “when 90% of the people were now living below the poverty line.”The Vice Chairman is Patrick Musisi (Busiro South), Margaret Ateng (Lira Woman) is Treasurer and Adolf Mwesigye (Bunyangabu) is General Secretary. There are nine committees headed by different MPs. Membership is open to the public.Ends

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