The-Proposal-to-Borrow-up-to-SDR-237.7-Million-Eq-USD-331.5-Million-and-Receive-a-Grant-of-up-to-SDR-198.2-Million-Eq-USD-276.5-Million-from-the-International-Development-Association (IDA)
Dont sign censure motion-NRM MPs told
The NRM Caucus Vice spokesperson Herbert Kinobere, has issued a directive urging all party MPs not to append their signatures on the censure motion against the commissioners. He said the MPs should wait until they receive guidance from their party chairman, President Museveni. During a press conference at Parliament, Kinobere stated that NRM MPs who have already signed the motion seeking to censure the Commissioners over the alleged misappropriation of the Shs1.7 billion service award may be asked to withdraw their signatures once they receive guidance from President Museveni. “I previously advised members to wait for the guidance of my boss, who is the Government Chief Whip, Hamson Obua. He also instructed that no member of the NRM caucus should sign the censure forms until we obtain guidance from the national chairman, President Museveni,” he explained. However, it has been reported that some MPs have already signed the motion. Kinobere mentioned that during their caucus meeting, they would request those MPs to withdraw their signatures since the NRM Party always comes up with a unified position and stands by it. When questioned about the NRM’s silence regarding allegations of corruption and wasteful expenditure in Parliament, Kinobere stated that the party is aware of the situation but needs time to investigate the allegations. “We haven’t been silent about this issue. Whenever something arises, we don’t rush to judgment. We need to investigate and determine the source and cause. As a party, we have been aware of it, and we knew we would find the best way to handle it. Despite pressure from our colleagues, including Theodore Ssekikubo and his team, who are part of our party, they will have to attend the caucus and provide an explanation for their actions,” Kinobere added. Theodore Ssekikubo, the MP for Lwemiyaga County, who is leading the move to censure the four backbench commissioners of Parliament, recently revealed that over 120 lawmakers have already signed the censure motion papers. The commissioners are accused of abuse of office and misconduct for allegedly distributing 1.7 billion shillings among themselves as a service award. Ssekikubo expressed hope that the required 177 signatures to table and debate the censure motion in Parliament would be collected. Ssekikubo also urged Speaker Anita Among not to interfere with the process, stating that the motion has nothing to do with her. During a media briefing at Parliament, the proponents of the motion clarified that the audit trail is focused on the four commissioners of Parliament, not the Speaker, as alleged by the affected commissioners. They called on MPs not to be intimidated by attempts to discourage them from signing the censure motion, but to remain steadfast and address the issue of corruption that is undermining the integrity of the 11th Parliament. Among the MPs who have already signed the motion are Agnes Taaka, the Woman MP for Bugiri, Jinja South West MP Dr. Timothy Baluwa, Dr. Nicholas Kamara of Kabale Municipality, Gilbert Olanya of Kilak South, and Burahya County MP Kasaija Stephen, among others. Source: Nile Post
Museveni demands Speaker Among explain UK house ownership
NATIONAL | President Museveni has directed Speaker of Parliament Anita Among to explain the ownership of a house in the United Kingdom that the British government insists belongs to her. In a May 23 letter – confirmed by State House as authentic -, Mr Museveni said he had received information that is “contrary to what you told me”. The information, he said, is that Ms Among, indeed, owns a house in London. “Do you own that house or are you renting it?” the President asked in the brief letter in which he does not specify the source of his new information. Mr Museveni said the house was in the form of Flat 4, Silk House, 7 Waterden Road, London, E20 3AL, United Kingdom. According to 192.com, a British company that publishes an online directory as well as information contained within the public domain for the UK, the property was sold as leasehold flat or maisonette on April 26, 2021. A maisonette is a self-contained apartment (usually on two floors) in a larger house and with its own entrance from the outside. 192.com indicates that the flat went down for £183,895 (Shs891 million). A site that placed the property on the market on behalf of Dimension Estates, onthemarket.com, described it as a property is well located in the heart of vibrant Stratford Central with a wealth of shops and entertainment spots nearby and a new Westfield shopping centre. “Sorry, we are not able to supply ownership information for this property at present,” is all the site gives when you press for ownership detail. The Flat in London What next? Speaker Among is understood to have already responded to the President although Nile Post could not get a head on her response. Mr Museveni, who directed the Minister of Foreign Affairs to contact the UK Government and get details regarding the house, is scheduled to meet with the Inspectorate of Government about the same tomorrow. The development appears to have run Ms Among the full circle with her options slimmer every dizzying step she takes. When the UK government sanctioned Speaker Among and two former ministers for corruption related to benefitting directly or indirectly to relief items or proceeds thereof meant for vulnerable Karamojong, Ms Among had vehemently denied the allegations. She said she did not even own a pussycat in the UK and insisted the sanction was a political witch-hunt for her stance against homosexuality in the country. However, Mr Museveni would reveal later that he had met with British High Commissioner to Uganda, Ms Kate Airey OBE, at State House Nakasero on the day UK government announced the sanctions. On May 2, Mr Museveni directed Inspector General of Government (IGG) and the Ethics ministry to look into the UK’s claims that Ms Among owned a house in London. “Why would a Ugandan leader build or buy houses in UK or anywhere else abroad, when Uganda, the still under-developed country where she would have earned the money, still needs those investments?” the President said. “It would definitely be a moral and ideological mistake.” But more than 12 hours later, the State House dramatically disowned the letter, calling it forged. President Museveni then directed Foreign Affairs minister Jeje Odongo to write to demand the UK government explain the source their information that Speaker Anita Among has a house or houses in the UK. The President said he had received IGG’s message that Ms Among did not not reveal anything related to ownership of a house or houses in the UK. “I have received a letter from Dr Patricia Achan Okiria, deputy Inspector General of Government, of the 9th of May, 2024, informing me that the Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among never revealed that she had a house in United Kingdom,” the President told Gen Odongo. He said Ms Among had also told him that she does not own a house or houses in UK. Mr Museveni is seeking more detail into the said property’s ownership but it is would be very unusual for the UK government to place its own reputation at stake by providing such information or even sanctioning an official without watertight evidence. Pictures
Speaker Among Blocks Debate Over UK House Lambasting Uganda Parliament Over Anti-Gay Law
The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among on Thursday blocked an attempt by some of the legislators to cause a clash between the Ugandan legislature and the United Kingdom’s House of Lords over differences on sexual orientation. Last year, Uganda’s Parliament passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 which despite warnings from the western world, was signed by President Yoweri Museveni to become law. In early April, 2024, the Constitutional Court of Uganda upheld the legislation after several Ugandans and same-sex activists challenged the Constitutionality of the new law. Geoffrey Macho, Member of Parliament for Busia Municipality attempted to lure Parliament into debating what was discussed in the UK House of Lords a few days ago. Macho accused Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP), Joel Ssenyonyi of traveling to the UK to taint the image of Parliament and the country. The LOP when they are outside the country, they should keep the image of this country [but] not to go and work in the House of Lords to spoil the name of our country, to solicit money in support of homosexuality, to taint our Parliament because when they taint our leaders, they are tainting us, said Macho. While legislators on the opposition side jeered at him and some seeking to put him on order, Macho stung them further saying they have always been uncomfortable whenever issues of Anti-Homosexuality law are discussed. I don’t know why when I talk about the Anti-Homosexuality Law the opposition is disturbed, they become mad about it. I don’t know what interest they have with the gay (people). People should stop being representatives of colonialists in Uganda. Uganda is a sovereign country that needs to operate on its own, added Macho. A video captured from the House of Lords while debating the Parliament of Uganda’s passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act has been making rounds on social media. In the video, UK lawmakers are seen tasking their government to tighten the grip on Uganda by issuing more sanctions. However, Speaker Among, who herself is facing sanctions by the UK government did not open the matter for debate saying what is discussed in other Parliaments does not concern the legislature in Uganda. Whether whatever issue was discussed about this House, about anybody and about Uganda in another Parliament does not concern us. Let us discuss floods that are affecting the people in Uganda. Let‘s discuss what is happening to ourselves, let’s not mind what neighbours are saying. Let people do their things in their own Parliaments as we do our things in our own Parliament, ruled the Speaker. In her own case, Among, recently accused the UK government of hiding behind alleged corruption including the Karamoja iron sheets scandal to sanction her and two former Ministers; Mary Goret Kitutu and Agnes Nandutu. The Speaker insisted after the sanctions were announced, that the UK government took action against her for steering the House during the processing and passing of the Anti-Homosexuality Act, 2023. During the House of Lords debate, some of the lawmakers were accusing Parliament of Uganda of enacting a law that has led to the harassment of sexual minorities. Source: Parliament Watch
Parliament Maintains Stand on AFCON2027 Success As Hoima Stadium Funds Approved
Since the East African Pamoja bid to host the African Cup of Nations (Afcon) 2027 was approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the co-host nations have been busy with plans to put in place infrastructure that meets the international standards. Key among the infrastructure that Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania must have in place are at least two stadia by each country so that the hosting rights are confirmed by 2025. And, it is Uganda that seems to be lagging behind in this venture with only the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole in place while the construction of Akii-Bua stadium in Lira city and Hoima Stadium in Hoima city are yet to start. With Namboole this week getting the CAF approval to host international matches after renovation works, the Government through the National Council of Sports has to work round the clock to have Hoima and Akii-Bua, and several training facilities in place ahead of the 2025 inspection. While rallying the lawmakers to approve a supplementary budget in which the start-up funds for the construction of the Hoima stadium were impeded, Speaker Anita Among, said that with Namboole approved, there is need for urgency on the construction of the other stadia. All the other countries are already constructing, the only country that is lagging behind is Uganda and it is likely that if we don’t move faster, like we’ve moved faster on Namboole, that bid will be taken away from Uganda, said Among. The Funds Parliament passed a UGX 2.88 trillion supplementary schedule to the 2023/24 financial year budget and among the items was the UGX 152 billion appropriated for the construction of the Hoima stadium. State Minister for Finance (General Duties), Henry Musasizi told Parliament that the UGX 152 billion budget could not wait for the new financial year because there are contractual obligations that have to be met before the end of July 2024. Vote 166; National Council for Sports requires UGX 152 billion for the stadium in Hoima. This will enable the contractor M/s Suma to commence the construction works on Hoima stadium in time required by CAF, said Musasizi. However, this did not pass without a fight from Shadow Finance Minister, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda who questioned the decision by the Government to bring a supplementary request for the Hoima Stadium just 10 days after the House approved another supplementary budget. Ssemujju, Kira Municipality MP also raised concerns of the likely breach of the provisions of Section 25 of the Public Order Management Act, 2015 on grounds that the budget for the construction of the Hoima stadium was unforeseeable. When did you win the bid to host AFCON for you not to have factored in the money in the budget; because this budget that we are going to pass today is a budget that will be implemented in one month? So what is that you cannot wait that is so urgent that you must fix it in the supplementary, he asked. Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Attorney General defended the supplementary budget saying that with lack of evidence on the availability of funds for the construction of the stadium, he has been reluctant to sign off the contracts presented by the Ministry of Education and Sports. If Parliament is happy to wait until the next financial year; the problem is we will lose timelines as far as deadlines are concerned. Unfortunately for me the law does not allow me to approve the contract without knowing the source of funds, he explained. Away from the stadium, the other items of the supplementary budget, the third this financial year include; UGX 132.634 billion for the Uganda National Oil Company; UGX 2.5 billion to the Uganda Blood Transfusion Services; and, UGX 1.49 billion to the Uganda Embassy in Geneva to run activities related to Uganda’s Chairmanship of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). Minister Musasizi while requesting Parliament’s approval to withdraw from the Petroleum Fund, revealed that the funding for the stadium and UNOC will be obtained from the current savings of UGX 400 billion. Our petroleum fund account currently has UGX 400 billion, I propose to utilize UGX 284.6 billion in line with the Public Finance Management Act to finance acquisition of equity in EACOP and construction of Hoima City stadium, the Minister said. The reason the Government is investing UGX 132.6 billion in the UNOC’s additional equity acquisition in the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) project, according to Musasizi is to meet the cash call arising from delayed financial flows by financiers. Ssemujju insisted that there is evidence that funds to finance the supplementary budgets have always been got from suppression of already appropriated priorities hence derailing service delivery. Quoting from the Auditor General’s report for the financial year ending June 30th 2023, Ssemujju stated that the government has not been financing the national budgets 100 percent giving an example the 2022/23 financial year where the actual release was UGX 43 trillion against approved budget of UGX 52.4 trillion. What the Auditor General is warning this Parliament against that each time you pass a supplementary here, you give a license to Musasizi and his group, to remove money from priorities you approved to their new priorities. Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), has only collected UGX 21 trillion against the target of UGX 29 trillion and if they work hard, they will make it UGX 23 trillion (by end of June), said Ssemujju. Musasizi then assured Parliament that like the Hoima Stadium and EACOP funding, the money for the collection, processing and distribution of blood, and that for the Embassy in Geneva will not be got by suppressing other priorities. He said this money will be got from savings from the wages after an audit of the wage bill. Source: Parliament Watch
Museveni Signs First Rationalisation Bill, Two Separate Animal-Related Laws Confirmed
President Yoweri Museveni is expected to be a busy man in the coming weeks as Parliament awaits his assent on dozens of recently passed Bills.There are several Bills passed by Parliament under the Rationalisation of Government Agencies and Public Expenditure (RAPEX) policy. By the time Parliament completed the legislative work on the RAPEX policy in April, 12 agencies were to have their functions mainstreamed in mother ministries.These agencies are; the National Records and Archives Agency; the Warehouse Receipt System; Trypanosomiasis Control Council; the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Board; the National Population Council (NPC); the National Library of Uganda and the National Youth Council. Others are; the National Council for Older Persons; the National Council for Persons with Disabilities; the National Council for Children; the Uganda National Commission for UNESCO; and, the Higher Education Students Financing Board. During the rationalisation process, Parliament saved a number of other agencies from losing their autonomous position with legislators insisting they better serve the interests of the country with functions independent of the sector Ministries. These include; the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA), the National Information and Technology Authority (NITA-U); the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS); the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA); the Dairy Development Authority (DDA); and, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority (UNMA). First Bill signed On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, State House confirmed that the President had signed the National Rerecords and Archives (Amendment) Bill, 2024 after it was passed by Parliament on February 27. The Presidential Press Unit (PPU) wishes to inform the general public that the President of the Republic of Uganda, His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has signed three (3) Bills into law, State House announced on Tuesday via X. Since its enactment in June 2001, the National Records and Archives Act was never operationalised as per the report of the House Committee on Public Service and Local Governments.While presenting the report on the rationalisation Bill for the National Records and Archives Authority, Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, Chairperson, Committee on Public Service and Local Governments, informed Parliament that Act was not serving its objectives. The functions of the Agency that were envisioned under the Act have been and continue to be carried out by the Ministry of Public Service. Therefore, the intention of the rationalisation of this Agency under the Bill and mainstreaming its functions into the Ministry is appropriate, said Mapenduzi. The Act was enacted to provide for the rationalised management of all government and other public records and archives, for the preservation, utilization and disposal of such records and archives, and for other related matters. Now, the Ministry will officially take control of these functions.Animal health laws. The President also assented to the Veterinary Practitioners Bill, 2023 and the Animal Feeds Bill, 2023. The Veterinary Practitioners Act, 2023 provides an institutional framework for regulation of veterinary practice by providing for the training, registration and licensing of veterinary professionals and veterinary para-professionals, among others. By coming into force, the new law had repealed and replaced the Veterinary Surgeons’ Act, Cap. 277 of 1958. On the other hand, the Animal Feeds (Control) Act, 2023 was enacted to provide a legislative framework for the operationalization of the Animal Feeds Policy. In this law, the government wants to ensure that all persons who intend to produce, store, transport, and sell animal feed have first to be licensed. One of the key offenses in the Veterinary Practitioners Act, 2023 is that of unlicensed veterinary officers who may cause harm on either an animal or to human beings through their illegal actions. Veterinary practitioners whose licenses are revoked but continue to practice and in the process cause death to animals or humans face a seven-year jail sentence, or fine of UGX 10 million, or both. Also in this law is a penalty of UGX 5 million fine for a registered practitioner who is found culpable of professional misconduct. Also under this Act, all private veterinary practitioners will have to register with the Veterinary Council which in turn will issue them with licenses while public practitioners will be exempted from being licensed. The same law will regulate the veterinary services by providing for the training, registration, licensing of veterinary professionals and veterinary paraprofessionals. On the other hand, the Animal Feeds (Control) Act has been enacted to have the producers, importers, exporters and dealers of animal feeds to ensure that whatever goes on the market meets the standards set by the National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). It was the intention of the Government to have a law that deals with animal fees produced for commercial purposes and also regulate the production, manufacturing, importation, exportation, storage, transportation and sale of animal feeds. In this law, there will be the establishment of; the Animal Committee and the offices of animal fees inspectors and analysts.One of the offenses in the law is for producers of animal feeds without formal approval for storage facilities and the punishment on conviction is 6 years imprisonment. Also operating a storage, shop or processing plant for animal feeds without approval by the Animal Committee will be punishable with a fine not exceeding UGX 10 million or a jail term not exceeding 6 years or both. SOURCE: PARLIAMENT WATCH
The nonperforming assets recovery trust act(repeal) bill, 2024
The national youth council (amendment) bill, 2024
The higher education students financing(amendment) bill, 2024
MPS of the 11th PARLIAMENT
We are pleased to introduce the esteemed members of the 11th Parliament of Uganda.