Land Bill divides Masindi MPs
Mar 21, 2008
Unto those who have, more shall be added, so say the scriptures. This saying came true this week as another by-election added another member to the already swollen number of National Resistance Movement members in the Eighth Parliament. Steven Baka Mugabi on Tuesday trounced six other candidates, to
Unto those who have, more shall be added, so say the scriptures. This saying came true this week as another by-election added another member to the already swollen number of National Resistance Movement members in the Eighth Parliament. Steven Baka Mugabi on Tuesday trounced six other candidates, to take the Bukhooli North constituency by a whooping 17,010 votes while his closest rival, Patrick Mwondha (UPC), got 6,217.
Sh6b for MPs pension
Finance minister, Ezra Suruma, opened the week with good news for the MPs when he defended a proposal seeking sh6b for pension of MPs in the Seventh Parliament. Suruma, presented to Parliament, a supplementary budget seeking approval for an extra sh187b of which sh15b was for Parliament pensions. Last year, the Government agreed to contribute sh438,000 monthly for the MPs’ pension. The 332 MPs contribute 15% (219,000) of their monthly basic pay to the scheme. What better way to start the week!
Kisoro CAO sweats
Wednesday was not a good day for the Kisoro chief administrative officer, David Lubuuka and his chief financial officer Anatoli Nkusi.
The duo failed to account for over sh2.1b. Appearing before the parliamentary local government accounts committee, chaired by Geoffrey Ekanya, the duo failed to produce payment vouchers, bank reconciliation statements and receipt books as required by the Local Government Act.
NEMA summoned over masts
The mushrooming telecommunications masts and the resultant radiations, caused unease in Parliament. MPs demanded that the masts be built after approval from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The parliamentary committee on information and communication technology told the NEMA chief, Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha, that over 700 mobile telecommunications masts erected countrywide had not been approved by the authority. The MPs also blamed NEMA for being weak and for failing to apply the NEMA Act to telecommunications giants erecting masts at will. According to the Act, before erecting masts, the telecommunications companies must carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment on the projects which must be approved by NEMA. However, Aryamanya, denied the figures. “The information you are quoting is yours. I don’t know them.â€
Masindi mps divided
The Government chief whip, Kabakumba Masiko and Buruuli MP Erisa Kaahwa distanced themselves from a Masindi town hall meeting that reportedly rejected the Land Bill. Last week, Kibanda county MP, Amooti Otada and Jalia Bintu (Woman) urged the Government to stay the Bill until the 9,000 square miles claimed by Buganda is sorted out. They distanced themselves from the Bill. But Kabakumba, the Bujenje MP, said her colleagues never consulted their constituents and were expressing their personal opinions. Time will tell who is right.
Sh6b for MPs pension
Finance minister, Ezra Suruma, opened the week with good news for the MPs when he defended a proposal seeking sh6b for pension of MPs in the Seventh Parliament. Suruma, presented to Parliament, a supplementary budget seeking approval for an extra sh187b of which sh15b was for Parliament pensions. Last year, the Government agreed to contribute sh438,000 monthly for the MPs’ pension. The 332 MPs contribute 15% (219,000) of their monthly basic pay to the scheme. What better way to start the week!
Kisoro CAO sweats
Wednesday was not a good day for the Kisoro chief administrative officer, David Lubuuka and his chief financial officer Anatoli Nkusi.
The duo failed to account for over sh2.1b. Appearing before the parliamentary local government accounts committee, chaired by Geoffrey Ekanya, the duo failed to produce payment vouchers, bank reconciliation statements and receipt books as required by the Local Government Act.
NEMA summoned over masts
The mushrooming telecommunications masts and the resultant radiations, caused unease in Parliament. MPs demanded that the masts be built after approval from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA). The parliamentary committee on information and communication technology told the NEMA chief, Dr. Aryamanya Mugisha, that over 700 mobile telecommunications masts erected countrywide had not been approved by the authority. The MPs also blamed NEMA for being weak and for failing to apply the NEMA Act to telecommunications giants erecting masts at will. According to the Act, before erecting masts, the telecommunications companies must carry out an Environmental Impact Assessment on the projects which must be approved by NEMA. However, Aryamanya, denied the figures. “The information you are quoting is yours. I don’t know them.â€
Masindi mps divided
The Government chief whip, Kabakumba Masiko and Buruuli MP Erisa Kaahwa distanced themselves from a Masindi town hall meeting that reportedly rejected the Land Bill. Last week, Kibanda county MP, Amooti Otada and Jalia Bintu (Woman) urged the Government to stay the Bill until the 9,000 square miles claimed by Buganda is sorted out. They distanced themselves from the Bill. But Kabakumba, the Bujenje MP, said her colleagues never consulted their constituents and were expressing their personal opinions. Time will tell who is right.