Consider impact of laws, youth MPs told

Aug 11, 2016

"If you (youth MPs) are not informed, consult the leader of government business or the minister of foreign affairs."

Uganda's ambassador to US, Oliver Wonekha, has asked youth MPs to always consider the impact of legislation on the country's international relations.

"While legislating, think about the impact of the law to Uganda's relationship with the US, which is our biggest development partner and other countries," she urged the MPs.

In the statement from the office of the clerk to parliament that was released on Thursday Wonekha noted: "If you (youth MPs) are not informed, consult the leader of government business or the minister of foreign affairs."

The ambassador, a former MP, was on Wednesday meeting youth MPs including Mpaka Mwine (NRM, Western), Ishma Mafabi (Independent, Eastern), Oscar Omony (NRM, Northern), Anna Adeke Ebaju (Independent, National Female Youth) and Sarah Babirye Kityo (NRM, Central).

The meeting was held at Uganda's Embassy in Washington, DC. The youth MPs are in the US to attend the International Young Leaders Assembly which will run from August 8-17.

Anti-gay law
Wonekha said that the US "nearly broke off diplomatic relations with Uganda" over Parliament's consideration and passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill.
The Parliament of Uganda passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in December 2013 outlawing and giving life sentences to persons convicted of homosexuality or gay relations.

The private member's Bill, which was later annulled by the Constitutional Court, also prohibited and prescribed penalties for the promotion of homosexuality. The US and a number of European countries, unhappy with the law, imposed varying levels of sanctions on government.

Wonekha said that her job entailed maintaining and improving Uganda's bilateral relations with the US.

Importation of foreign donations
Meanwhile, the Ambassador has asked the legislators to amend the required laws to ease importation of foreign donations, especially those for the education and social services sectors.

She said that firms approach the Embassy with donations of much needed hospital equipment and scholastic materials, but are turned away as the items cannot easily be imported to Uganda due to the high tax levies.

Dickson Ogwang, the Minister-Councilor at the Embassy, said there was need to have its staff inspect such donations to take care of environmental considerations and to avoid accepting and shipping items that cannot be used in Uganda's hospitals.

Mwine, the leader of the delegation, said that the youth MPs would advocate for various issues affecting the youth including a minimum wage requirement in the country.

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