Govt explains traditional leaders’ bill
Dec 27, 2010
GENDER, Labour and social development minister, Gabriel Opio, has defended the new bill on traditional leaders, saying it only seeks to facilitate traditional leaders, and not stifle them.
By Cyprian Musoke and
Taddeo Bwambale
GENDER, Labour and social development minister, Gabriel Opio, has defended the new bill on traditional leaders, saying it only seeks to facilitate traditional leaders, and not stifle them.
Speaking to the New Vision yesterday, Opio said the Bill is not intended to harm the traditional leaders, but to provide for their transport, health, education and welfare.
“This Bill is intended to operationalise article 246 of the Constitution. It has been under discussion since 1998 and has now culminated into the Bill currently before Parliament.
The Constitution already spells out the behavior, duties and benefits of the traditional leaders.
“There is nothing new only that opportunists are picking on the provision barring them from politics, yet there are far too many benefits than this provision which is infact intended to prevent a bad situation like one that occurred in the past which led to President Milton Obote exiling the Kabaka,†he said.
According to the Bill published in today New Vision in full, it seeks to provide for the existence and recognition of traditional and cultural leaders by government in any area of Uganda in accordance with the constitution.
It also spells out their privileges and benefits, resolution of issues relating to them which have not been resolved in any community and related matters. It spells out their installation, roles and institutional capacity, jurisdiction and how their recognition can be withdrawn by government.
However, the clauses relating to restrictions in the exercise of administrative, legislative or executive powers, prevention from participating in politics, relationship with foreign government and their liabilities has drawn criticism from sections of Buganda kingdom officials and politicians.
The Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) yesterday also rejected the Bill, describing it as unconstitutional.
Addressing a press briefing at FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, IPC spokesperson, Hussein Kyanjo said they were prepared to challenge it before courtl.
“The IPC does not support this bill. The timing is strange. It appears the real intention is to confront those leaders perceived to be problematic and unsympathetic to an oppressive and dictatorial regime,†he said.
“We are consulting with colleagues after which we shall consider dragging the government to the constitutional court for interpretation,†he said.
Kyanjo described the Bill as a move by the government to weaken cultural leaders and institutions that are critical of government.
He wondered why the bill prohibits traditional leaders from participating in politics yet it provides for them to be titular heads of regional governments on a rotational basis, which are made of partisan politics.
Taddeo Bwambale
GENDER, Labour and social development minister, Gabriel Opio, has defended the new bill on traditional leaders, saying it only seeks to facilitate traditional leaders, and not stifle them.
Speaking to the New Vision yesterday, Opio said the Bill is not intended to harm the traditional leaders, but to provide for their transport, health, education and welfare.
“This Bill is intended to operationalise article 246 of the Constitution. It has been under discussion since 1998 and has now culminated into the Bill currently before Parliament.
The Constitution already spells out the behavior, duties and benefits of the traditional leaders.
“There is nothing new only that opportunists are picking on the provision barring them from politics, yet there are far too many benefits than this provision which is infact intended to prevent a bad situation like one that occurred in the past which led to President Milton Obote exiling the Kabaka,†he said.
According to the Bill published in today New Vision in full, it seeks to provide for the existence and recognition of traditional and cultural leaders by government in any area of Uganda in accordance with the constitution.
It also spells out their privileges and benefits, resolution of issues relating to them which have not been resolved in any community and related matters. It spells out their installation, roles and institutional capacity, jurisdiction and how their recognition can be withdrawn by government.
However, the clauses relating to restrictions in the exercise of administrative, legislative or executive powers, prevention from participating in politics, relationship with foreign government and their liabilities has drawn criticism from sections of Buganda kingdom officials and politicians.
The Inter-Party Cooperation (IPC) yesterday also rejected the Bill, describing it as unconstitutional.
Addressing a press briefing at FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi, IPC spokesperson, Hussein Kyanjo said they were prepared to challenge it before courtl.
“The IPC does not support this bill. The timing is strange. It appears the real intention is to confront those leaders perceived to be problematic and unsympathetic to an oppressive and dictatorial regime,†he said.
“We are consulting with colleagues after which we shall consider dragging the government to the constitutional court for interpretation,†he said.
Kyanjo described the Bill as a move by the government to weaken cultural leaders and institutions that are critical of government.
He wondered why the bill prohibits traditional leaders from participating in politics yet it provides for them to be titular heads of regional governments on a rotational basis, which are made of partisan politics.