This week in parliament
Dec 14, 2007
MPs have reacted angrily over a survey that rated their performances. They said the report was unfair and damaged their image and integrity of Parliament.
MPs still want accountability
MPs have reacted angrily over a survey that rated their performances. They said the report was unfair and damaged their image and integrity of Parliament. The document, launched on Thursday at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, was prepared by African Leadership Institute headed by David Pulkol.
Ministers summoned over CHOGM funds
The Parliament select committee on Chogm summoned seven ministers to appear before them and account for funds allocated to their ministries for last month’s Commonwealth summit. The ministers summoned are of foreign affairs, works and transport, trade and industry, and gender. Others are information and national guidance, information and communication technology and internal affairs. The CHOGM committee chairperson, Onyango Kakoba (NRM), said the ministers would appear before the committee on Tuesday next week.
IGG needs counselling, Says MPs
MPs on Thursday asked the Government to restrain and counsel the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to work with, instead of attacking other institutions. The MPs were responding to her claim that she is not subject to the control of any authority and could not be directed or influenced by any other institution, including Parliament.
Stressing the importance of the institution of IGG, MPs took exception to the character of the office holder, Justice Faith Mwondha. “Her statements describing Parliament as idle and wasting her time, despite our emolument, put her integrity into question,†said Musa Otto (Oyam South, UPC) who raised the matter.
MPs advised to plan for retirement
MPs should plan early for their retirement to avoid frustration after leaving politics. The executive director Uganda Investment Authority, Dr. Maggie Kigozi, said politics is not a professional career, but a call to serve the nation, adding that time comes when the call ceases. Although the legislators play the role of enacting laws, setting policies, oversight on accountability and approval of ministerial budgets, time comes when MPs retire yet life has to continue Kigozi explained.
Absenteeism a reality
Some MPs agreed having absconded from Parliament business as per the scorecard released by Kampala-based African Leadership Institute on MPs performance.
They are Kibanda County MP Amooti Otada, Pius Mujuzi, Peter Bakaluba Mukasa and Anthony Mukasa. “It is true as far as my attendance is concerned, but it doesn’t reflect my performance because when I got into politics, I was ranked among rebel MPs, meaning my performance is not in doubt,†Otaada admitted.
UNBS to get more funding
President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Ministry of Finance to increase the budget of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards from less than sh3b to sh12.4b. The directive is contained in a letter that the committee on statutory authorities and state enterprises attached to their report on the budget status of UNBS and National Forestry Authority (NFA).
Wedding bells for Alaso
Soroti Woman MP Alice Alaso (FDC) is preparing to walk down the aisle. The wedding is slated for February next year. Though the Lucky groom is not known at the moment, Alaso, all smiles, was seen at Parliament distributing wedding budgets to MPs, seeking contribution towards her function. Kaberamaido Woman MP Florence Ekwau (FDC), one of the organisers, is also working hard, trying to get funds for the big do. All the best.
ARVs worry Ssekandi
Parliament Speaker Edward SSekandi expressed fear that the availability of Anti-retrovirals (ARVs) to Ugandans may increase the spread of HIV/AIDS. He was meeting a delegation of MPs on HIV/AIDS committee from the South African Gauteng province led by Rashid Ahmed Salojee. The South African MPs were on a fact-finding mission on how Uganda had fought the spread of the AIDS scourge.
Parliament leaks
Before Roko Construction Company jubilated its success for having refurbished the parliamentary building, they were recalled to repair the roof of the northern block after water leakages caused damage to offices on the fifth floor. Workers are now adding three water proof sheets to deal with the leakage.
MPs have reacted angrily over a survey that rated their performances. They said the report was unfair and damaged their image and integrity of Parliament. The document, launched on Thursday at Sheraton Kampala Hotel, was prepared by African Leadership Institute headed by David Pulkol.
Ministers summoned over CHOGM funds
The Parliament select committee on Chogm summoned seven ministers to appear before them and account for funds allocated to their ministries for last month’s Commonwealth summit. The ministers summoned are of foreign affairs, works and transport, trade and industry, and gender. Others are information and national guidance, information and communication technology and internal affairs. The CHOGM committee chairperson, Onyango Kakoba (NRM), said the ministers would appear before the committee on Tuesday next week.
IGG needs counselling, Says MPs
MPs on Thursday asked the Government to restrain and counsel the Inspector General of Government (IGG) to work with, instead of attacking other institutions. The MPs were responding to her claim that she is not subject to the control of any authority and could not be directed or influenced by any other institution, including Parliament.
Stressing the importance of the institution of IGG, MPs took exception to the character of the office holder, Justice Faith Mwondha. “Her statements describing Parliament as idle and wasting her time, despite our emolument, put her integrity into question,†said Musa Otto (Oyam South, UPC) who raised the matter.
MPs advised to plan for retirement
MPs should plan early for their retirement to avoid frustration after leaving politics. The executive director Uganda Investment Authority, Dr. Maggie Kigozi, said politics is not a professional career, but a call to serve the nation, adding that time comes when the call ceases. Although the legislators play the role of enacting laws, setting policies, oversight on accountability and approval of ministerial budgets, time comes when MPs retire yet life has to continue Kigozi explained.
Absenteeism a reality
Some MPs agreed having absconded from Parliament business as per the scorecard released by Kampala-based African Leadership Institute on MPs performance.
They are Kibanda County MP Amooti Otada, Pius Mujuzi, Peter Bakaluba Mukasa and Anthony Mukasa. “It is true as far as my attendance is concerned, but it doesn’t reflect my performance because when I got into politics, I was ranked among rebel MPs, meaning my performance is not in doubt,†Otaada admitted.
UNBS to get more funding
President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Ministry of Finance to increase the budget of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards from less than sh3b to sh12.4b. The directive is contained in a letter that the committee on statutory authorities and state enterprises attached to their report on the budget status of UNBS and National Forestry Authority (NFA).
Wedding bells for Alaso
Soroti Woman MP Alice Alaso (FDC) is preparing to walk down the aisle. The wedding is slated for February next year. Though the Lucky groom is not known at the moment, Alaso, all smiles, was seen at Parliament distributing wedding budgets to MPs, seeking contribution towards her function. Kaberamaido Woman MP Florence Ekwau (FDC), one of the organisers, is also working hard, trying to get funds for the big do. All the best.
ARVs worry Ssekandi
Parliament Speaker Edward SSekandi expressed fear that the availability of Anti-retrovirals (ARVs) to Ugandans may increase the spread of HIV/AIDS. He was meeting a delegation of MPs on HIV/AIDS committee from the South African Gauteng province led by Rashid Ahmed Salojee. The South African MPs were on a fact-finding mission on how Uganda had fought the spread of the AIDS scourge.
Parliament leaks
Before Roko Construction Company jubilated its success for having refurbished the parliamentary building, they were recalled to repair the roof of the northern block after water leakages caused damage to offices on the fifth floor. Workers are now adding three water proof sheets to deal with the leakage.