A section of legislators has called for the reinstating of the presidential age limit in the Constitution. This and the continued presence of the UPDF representatives in the August House dominated Wednesday 24th February 2021 afternoon’s plenary session as legislators debated the Constitutional Amendment Bill, 2019.
The plenary session chaired by Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga spent majority of the afternoon debating the Constitutional amendment bill that was introduced by Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba.
In their submission, some Legislators led by Dokolo Woman Legislator Cecilia Ogwal moved an amendment to have the reintroduction of the age limit in addition to the reinstatement of the Presidential term limits.
The Legislators also opposed the decision of the Legal and Parliamentary Committee dropping the idea of the introduction of the panel of the Speakers. To them, it is the right time to have a panel of speakers in order to relieve some burden off the Speaker and the Deputy.
The presence of the army in parliament continued to divide legislators. To some Legislators making UPDF representatives, a listening post in Parliament is a sign of demeaning Uganda’s army. To others, the number of UPDF representatives should be reduced to five members like the other special interest groups. Relatedly, some MPs argued the UPDF should only be allowed to access parliament as strangers.
The Legislators also proposed to have an introduction of academic qualifications for the Resident District Commissioners in addition to redefining their roles in their respective districts of assignments.
The Legislators also supported the proposal to have Commissioners of Parliament not to be determined by the Executive but rather by Legislators themselves.
Debate on the bill continues Thursday 25th February 2021.
