Why amend the KCCA Act now?

By Teddy Namayanja

How do I even say this or where should I actually start from? Well, a few weeks ago, I heard from the grapevine that Government was planning to Table the KCCA Amendment Bill, 2015 before Parliament. For some reason, I took it as the usual politicking of issues especially because we’re in a heated campaign period.

To my surprise as I tuned in to watch news last night on TV, the headlines carried the story. For me and my contemporaries, the question is why at this time? Why the hurry?

One of the most interesting objectives of this bill is that it seeks to amend Section 9 of the KCCA Act, 2010, to provide for the election of the Lord Mayor by the Council from among the Councilors and at least by two-thirds of all members. Given the long running battles and painstaking tension between the Executive Director, KCCA, the Minister for the Presidency and for Kampala City Council Authority and the incumbent Lord Mayor, one cannot stop but wonder whether this amendment is actually meant to frustrate the political ambitions of the current Lord Mayor who yet again is bidding for the Kampala Mayoral seat.

Moreover, if Government’s disregard of the 2013 High Court ruling which reinstated the Lord Mayor after his contentious impeachment by the KCCA councilors, is anything to go by, this makes the proposed mode of election, vulnerable and subject to manipulation. The danger of imposing a Mayor onto the residents of Kampala becomes imminent. 

I highly doubt Members of Parliament will take time off to objectively scrutinise this Bill and give it the due attention it requires during this busy campaign period. These legislators have so much to worry about in terms of maintaining their seats and raising the money to sustain their campaigns. Between you and me, we know what takes precedent at the end of the day. That notwithstanding, will they even raise the quorum to pass the amendments? Watch this space!

Likewise, the recently tabled Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill, 2015 which seeks to among others amend the Public Finance Management Act, 2015 to provide for guarantees and advances by Bank of Uganda without parliamentary approval equally raises similar questions.

In keeping with one its functions stipulated in Article 79 of the 1995 Uganda Constitution which mandates Parliament to promote democratic governance in Uganda, we hope that Parliament will not swayed to hurriedly pass these amendments but will objectively scrutinize the bills, consider implications and prioritize public and stakeholder consultations in order to inform this process. This is the least they can do for their electorate.

The writer is the public relations officer of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative.