MPs fail to beat budget deadline
Sep 07, 2007
The Parliament has failed to beat the August 31 deadline for passing the budget as required by the Budget Act 2001. The budget can only be passed after hearing reports from all committees that have been scrutinising ministerial policy statements and ministry budgets.
The Parliament has failed to beat the August 31 deadline for passing the budget as required by the Budget Act 2001. The budget can only be passed after hearing reports from all committees that have been scrutinising ministerial policy statements and ministry budgets.
In a desperate attempt to beat the deadline, the House had decided that committee chairpersons would present only highlights. However, even this could not help them beat the deadline.
The MPs will not be penalised for failing to pass the budget in time. Instead they will caution themselves and promise to do better next time.
Absence in the House
MPs seemed unconcerned with Parliament business. When the bell alerting MPs about parliamentary proceedings was sounded, only a few would enter the chamber. The Speaker, on several occasions, was forced to start plenary sessions late for lack of quorum.
Speaker defends self
Stung by the accusations levelled against him last week by the opposition MPs, who queried his impartiality, Speaker Edward Ssekandi addressed his first ever press conference since becoming speaker. “It is laughable that they made such accusations. I cannot be biased. Bias is corruption. I don’t work under pressure. I am the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda and I treat all MPs fairly. I cannot be intimidated. I execute my duties professionally,†he said.
Teso MPs table rotten beans
TESO MPs were angered that rotten beans were supplied as relief aid to their people, following heavy rains that left thousands in the region homeless.
The Teso parliamentary group on Wednesday addressed a press conference where they displayed samples of the beans and later presented them to the House.
The group’s chairperson, Patrick Amuriat, said this was an insult to their people and demanded an apology from the disaster preparedness ministry.
Balalo probe committee set
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi told the House that he has instituted a committee to study the problems of the pastoralists and advise cabinet accordingly.
He said that general duties minister in his office, Adolf Mwesige, would head the team. Other members are ministers of agriculture, lands and internal affairs.
Mps take a u-turn on buvera
Despite the Government’s desire to ban the buvera (polythene bags), MPs on the trade and industry committee, chaired by Perezi Ahabwe, presented a report to the Parliament asking the Government to temporarily lift the ban on polythene bags of less than 30 microns to enable the manufactures use the raw materials in stock. However, Mbarara MP John Kigyagi insisted that the Parliament should not adopt the report, which was against the Government’s position.
Natete vendors’ petition
Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi received a petition from Natete Market Joint Vendors Association complaining about the unclear tendering process of the market by Kampala City Council. The petition signed by 45 vendors was presented to the House by Rubaga
In a desperate attempt to beat the deadline, the House had decided that committee chairpersons would present only highlights. However, even this could not help them beat the deadline.
The MPs will not be penalised for failing to pass the budget in time. Instead they will caution themselves and promise to do better next time.
Absence in the House
MPs seemed unconcerned with Parliament business. When the bell alerting MPs about parliamentary proceedings was sounded, only a few would enter the chamber. The Speaker, on several occasions, was forced to start plenary sessions late for lack of quorum.
Speaker defends self
Stung by the accusations levelled against him last week by the opposition MPs, who queried his impartiality, Speaker Edward Ssekandi addressed his first ever press conference since becoming speaker. “It is laughable that they made such accusations. I cannot be biased. Bias is corruption. I don’t work under pressure. I am the Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda and I treat all MPs fairly. I cannot be intimidated. I execute my duties professionally,†he said.
Teso MPs table rotten beans
TESO MPs were angered that rotten beans were supplied as relief aid to their people, following heavy rains that left thousands in the region homeless.
The Teso parliamentary group on Wednesday addressed a press conference where they displayed samples of the beans and later presented them to the House.
The group’s chairperson, Patrick Amuriat, said this was an insult to their people and demanded an apology from the disaster preparedness ministry.
Balalo probe committee set
Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi told the House that he has instituted a committee to study the problems of the pastoralists and advise cabinet accordingly.
He said that general duties minister in his office, Adolf Mwesige, would head the team. Other members are ministers of agriculture, lands and internal affairs.
Mps take a u-turn on buvera
Despite the Government’s desire to ban the buvera (polythene bags), MPs on the trade and industry committee, chaired by Perezi Ahabwe, presented a report to the Parliament asking the Government to temporarily lift the ban on polythene bags of less than 30 microns to enable the manufactures use the raw materials in stock. However, Mbarara MP John Kigyagi insisted that the Parliament should not adopt the report, which was against the Government’s position.
Natete vendors’ petition
Parliament Speaker Edward Ssekandi received a petition from Natete Market Joint Vendors Association complaining about the unclear tendering process of the market by Kampala City Council. The petition signed by 45 vendors was presented to the House by Rubaga