Plenary suspension not linked to Lukwago - Kadaga

By Paul Kiwuuwa

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has explained that plenary sessions were suspended to allow committees finish pending businesses.

The Speaker refuted claims that accused her of conniving with the Executive to suspend parliament sittings in order to suffocate the debate on the controversial impeachment of the ousted Kampala mayor Erias Lukwago.

Some MPs wanted to move a motion without notice to Parliament, condemning the police brutality, Kibooko squad and what they termed as “illegal impeachment” of Lukwago.

“It is not true that I suddenly suspended parliament sittings to block debate on the controversial impeachment of Lukwago,” Kadaga said statement issued Wednesday.

The statement was copied to Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah and Clerk to Parliament Jane Kibirige.

 “Committees have got pending Bills that are not ready. Plenary has been suspended to pave way for MPs to clear the backlog,” Kadaga said.

 “I have received list of business before your committee from Kibirige, and noted that most of the business is under consideration and not ready for plenary. Please ensure you speed up clearance of the workloads to enable you report to the House in the first week of December, 2013,” she added.

Parliament will resume on December 3.

The chairpersons of the committees were encouraged to utilize this period to expeditiously finish pending business and submit eports by November 29.