EALA has deferred debate on the East Africa Community Electronic Transactions Bill 2014 to pave way for stakeholders to make additional input. The adjournment came after a request for deferment of the debate by the Chairperson of Council of Ministers, Dr. Abdallah Saadaala was approved. In his ruling, the Speaker, Daniel F Kidega directed that the Bill be brought back to the Order paper during the next Plenary in Nairobi, Kenya.

The Chairperson of Council of Ministers reiterated total support of the Bill but added there was need for more time for the consolidation of further inputs and comments by stakeholders. At the same time, consultations are been called to allow for enrichment of the Report of the Committee of Communication, Trade and Investment. According to the Chairperson of Council of Ministers, the Bill has been shared with the East African Communications Organization (EACO) headquartered in Kigali, Rwanda and the EAC Monetary Affairs Committee (MAC) for comments.

The EACO brings together a number of consumers of e-transactions.  At the same time, the Minister affirms that EAC is also developing and implementing the electronic payments and settlements systems under the leadership of the Monetary Affairs Committee to enhance financial infrastructure in the region.

The Secretary General of the East African Community, Ambassador Dr. Richard Sezibera similarly wrote to the Assembly requesting for more time to consult stakeholders.

The Electronic Transaction Bill, 2014 seeks to meet the need of exploiting electronic transactions in the modern day business transactions. The Bill further wants to promote technology neutrality in applying legislation to electronic communications and transactions and to develop a safe, secure and effective environment for the consumer, business and the Governments of the Partner States to conduct and use electronic transactions.

EALA has already undertaken a series of public hearings to source for views from stakeholders on this particular Bill. The  bill  was moved as a Private Members Bill by  Dr. James Ndahayo.

Today’s debate was preceded by tabling of a report by the Committee on Communications and Trade Investment which undertook public hearings on the Bill.

The Members of the Committee were divided into two groups to undertake the public hearings. One group covered the Republics of Burundi and Rwanda while another one covered the United Republic of Tanzania and Kenya and both groups then converged in Uganda. The stakeholders consulted included. among others: Ministries responsible for ICT, including ICT regulators and the e-government agencies, Ministries of Trade and Commerce and the Finance Ministries. Others were Offices of the Attorneys General, including the Law Reform Commissions; Law Societies and Law Enforcement agencies as well as the East African Business Council and Private Sector Federation.

Hon Judy Pareno said the mobile telephony exchanges and pay systems were necessary in the region, adding that it should be anchored by a relevant piece of legislation. Isabelle Ndahayo said businesses continued to face pressure to transact business electronically, calling for speedy and efficient systems while cutting down costs is key.

The Bill will facilitate regional traders by offering practical solutions and provide security to those who use electronic modes of transaction.

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The argument is that if someone like president Museveni is still alive and the people still like him, the country should not be denied the opportunity to benefit from his “visionary” leadership just because the person is above 75 years!

 Some MPs argue that they want the clause deleted in order to allow people aged above 75 years to get an opportunity to ruleUganda. This campaign is being spearheaded by some NRM MPs fromBuganda. However few vocal opposition MPs in the house shout in disapproval, saying that the move will give Museveni a chance to ruleUgandafor life.

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The debate follows an argument in parliament that NRM and president Museveni won last year’s elections overwhelmingly with 85% of the total votes cast (but with only 30% voter turn out).
As if this debate is not enough, there is a heated campaign in parliament about the age limit clause in the National constitution of Uganda.

The argument is that if someone like president Museveni is still alive and the people still like him, the country should not be denied the opportunity to benefit from his “visionary” leadership just because the person is above 75 years!

Some MPs argue that they want the clause deleted in order to allow people aged above 75 years to get an opportunity to rule Uganda. This campaign is being spearheaded by some NRM MPs from Buganda.

However few vocal opposition MPs in the house shout in disapproval, saying that the move will give Museveni a chance to rule Uganda for life.

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Early Career Fellowships:

The Future Agricultures Consortium (FAC) aims to encourage critical debate and policy dialogue on the future of agriculture in Africa. Founded in 2005, the Consortium is a partnership between leading research-based organizations in Africa and the UK, with work focusing on Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Burkina Faso, Ghana, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

FAC is proud to announce its grant programme to support talented young researchers working on African agricultural policy: FAC’s Early Career Fellowship Programme (ECFP).

The Early Career Fellowship (ECFP) is available to early career professionals working in Africa and the UK. Both full-time and part-time appointments are available and all fellowships will include mentorship support from a senior FAC researcher affiliated with a FAC partner institution. The awards will support original field-based and policy-oriented research on African agriculture.

Fellowship Awards

Three types of awards are available:

1. one-year fulltime post-Masters or post-doc appointment (£10,000 each). Four positions are available for African nationals conducting research in Africa.

2. one-year part-time post-Masters or post-doc appointment (£5,000 each). Three positions are available for African nationals conducting research in Africa.

3. six-month fulltime post-doc appointment (£12,500 each). Two positions available for researchers based in the UK.

Applications should be in line with one of FAC’s eight thematic areas:

• · Climate Change
• · Commercialization
• · Growth & social protection
• · Land
• Pastoralism
• · Policy Processes
• · Science, Technology and Innovation
• · Young People and Agriculture

Fellowship Eligibility Criteria

Candidates should have no more than three years active post-Masters or post-doctoral experience at the time that their FAC Fellowship starts.

Those who submitted their Masters dissertation or doctoral there are more than three years before the date they wish to start their fellowship will not be eligible, except where the applicant has interrupted their career for family, health or other personal reasons.

Applications are invited from young researchers who have recently completed their degree in an appropriate development-related field, including agricultural or applied economics, anthropology, development studies, environmental science and policy (including climate change), gender studies, geography, political science, public administration, rural sociology, science and technology studies, etc.

The focus is on junior candidates early in their careers with a strong interest in conducting research on agricultural policy issues in Sub-Saharan Africa.

For more information see; Early Career Fellowships

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According on the agenda, the East African MP will on Tuesday debate the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) Bill. The bill seeks, among others, to create a organ to accredit universities in the East African Community.

The EALA members believe that the legislation will boost the quality of education among East Africa community states ofKenya,Rwanda,Burundi,UgandaandTanzania.

Other issues the members of EALA will discuss this week include the Trans-boundary Ecosystem Management Bill 2010 and the EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill among others.

Ultimate Media

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While appearing before the oil Adhoc committee chaired by Michael Werikhe, Kutesa said he never received the alleged17 million Euros from oil companies.

Documents presented to Parliament by the youth member of parliament for western Region Gerald Karuhanga alleged that Kutesa and two other ministers received varying amounts of bribe money to help the oil company secure its interests in Uganda.

When MPS asked him why his name keeps coming up in bribery scandals Kutesa said that the bribe allegations against him are political and are advanced by his political enemies.

He said that Karuhanga’s oil bribe decrements tabled before parliament during oil debate on 11^th October are false.

Kutes said that these papers presented by karuhanga were given to him by the international companies which lost the oil business  because Karuhanga has no expertise  and  capacity to forge such  sophisticated  documents.

He advised mp Karuhanga to desist from being used in a matter which is damaging people s hard earned image.

Kutesa was furious over when Mps asked him how his son in law Albert Muganga came to be in the oil business in Jinja oil reserves and he warned them to avoid bringing in the relatives of politicians when politicians are implicated in any scandal because there is no law stopping their sons, daughters, wives and relatives to do any business in the country.

By Isaac Senabulya

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Aruu County MP, Odonga Otto

Aruu County MP, Odonga Otto yesterday filed a petition before the Attorney General’s office, seeking to call for 17 independent MPs to be thrown out of Parliament.

The MPs’ woes stem from their attendance of a retreat of NRM MPs at the National Leadership Institute in Kyankwanzi over two weeks ago.

Speaking to journalists at Parliament, Otto contended that the legislators breached the contract with their voters by being involved in party activities yet they were sent to Parliament on no political party card.

The independent MPs recently attended the caucus called by the NRM leadership to discuss several issues, among them the special oil debate.

Speaking to the media at Parliament, Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi dismissed the claims that the independent MPs had been influenced to change their decisions made during the special oil debate, calling for the resignation of three ministers implicated in alleged corruption deals in the sector.

Mbabazi says the retreat was open to all and not the NRM party since several speakers made meaningful presentations on different issues.

Last year, 70 MPs, among them 8 ministers, lost their seats after the constitutional court ruled that the MPs vacate their seats for choosing to join other parties different from those to which they were elected to parliament.

Ultimate Media

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