Parliament passes Bill
Dec 09, 2004
Parliament yesterday passed the Referendum Bill 2004 under which next year’s referendum will be held to approve constitutional amendments.
By Milton Olupot
and Emmanuel Mulondo
Parliament yesterday passed the Referendum Bill 2004 under which next year’s referendum will be held to approve constitutional amendments.
The amendments include change of political systems and the lifting of presidential term limits.
The Bill was last week put on hold due to controversy over Article 74 relating to the change of political systems, which MPs said the Constitutional Court had nullified.
Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga had said a committee would be set up to review the Bill but later said the earlier ruling was based on misinformation by Rukiga County MP Jack Sabiiti.
She allowed the debate to proceed with the justice and constitutional affairs minister reading the Bill for the third time.
It was unanimously passed with a few amendments.
The minister concurred with the chairman of the legal and parliamentary affairs committee Jacob Oulanyah (Omoro) and provided a clause to cater for situations where over one referendum could be held on the same day.
Mbarara Woman MP Miria Matembe tried to block the new clause in vain.
The Bill repeals the Referendum Act 1997 and gives effect to articles 74, 76, 255 and 259 of the Constitution.
Ends
and Emmanuel Mulondo
Parliament yesterday passed the Referendum Bill 2004 under which next year’s referendum will be held to approve constitutional amendments.
The amendments include change of political systems and the lifting of presidential term limits.
The Bill was last week put on hold due to controversy over Article 74 relating to the change of political systems, which MPs said the Constitutional Court had nullified.
Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga had said a committee would be set up to review the Bill but later said the earlier ruling was based on misinformation by Rukiga County MP Jack Sabiiti.
She allowed the debate to proceed with the justice and constitutional affairs minister reading the Bill for the third time.
It was unanimously passed with a few amendments.
The minister concurred with the chairman of the legal and parliamentary affairs committee Jacob Oulanyah (Omoro) and provided a clause to cater for situations where over one referendum could be held on the same day.
Mbarara Woman MP Miria Matembe tried to block the new clause in vain.
The Bill repeals the Referendum Act 1997 and gives effect to articles 74, 76, 255 and 259 of the Constitution.
Ends