State Minister of Finance for Planning, Hon David Bahati: COURTESY PHOTO

The State Minister of Finance for Planning, Hon David Bahati, has declared that Uganda’s public debt is at Shs41 trillion, which is an equivalent of US$10 billion.

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The Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah

The Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah cautioned both former and current Members of Parliament to avoid luxurious life and spending.

Oulanyah made the remarks while opening the 14^th Annual General Meeting of the Parliamentarian cooperative Savings and Credit Society held at Parliament.

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Oulanyah says some MPs buy themselves expensive clothes to impress people yet they can also buy the same things from down town at a low price with a spirit of saving money for their future in case they do not make it to parliament again.

He says the MPs who borrow money from Parliaments SACCO should plan for the money before they acquire it.The speaker also asked the formers MPs not to give up on the spirit of coming back to parliament.

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MP for Busongoara North in Kasese district, William Nzoughu

MPS are divided over a proposal seeking transferring the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee Leadership to the independent members of Parliament from the NRM party members.

The rules committee had proposed that the Human Rights committee be chaired by the independent MPS but both the opposition and NRM members of Parliament want to be in charge of the committee.

Opposition Members of Parliament who include the MP for Busongoara North in Kasese district, William Nzoughu and Obongi County MP, Hassan Fungaroo, opposed to the committee’s proposal saying that the independent who would be appointed to chair this committee could be leaning to the ruling party and has conflict of interest when the matter in question is bring the government in bad light.

Similarly, the Minister of State for Planning, David Bahati, said that the Human Rights committee should remain in hands of the ruling party members because there has been no case causing for the change of the status quo.

When the matter started to be contentious the Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, called off the debate on the matter.

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Member of Parliament for Kasanda South in Mubende district, Simeo Nsubuga

Kasanda County South MP, Simeo Nsubuga, last week accused the opposition for being behind the attacks and humiliation of MPs who debate and discuss on the issue of lifting the age limit of the President.

This was during the plenary sitting in Parliament last week as he explained circumstances for his scuffle in Mubende where a one ‘Kyuma Kya Yesu’ almost roughed him up during the 25^th Kabaka Ronald Mutebi’s Coronation ceremony.

Nsubuga claims that it is the opposition that is fueling such attacks accusing them of inciting the public at the rallies on their ongoing sensitization campaigns about the constitution amendment bill 2017 in regard to government forceful acquisition of land from the owners.

However, citing the example of Minister Kahinda Otafire’s incident at Namboole where he where leaders splashed with water during a Local Government meeting, the Opposition Chief Whip, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, says the opposition cannot be accused of the growing anger amongst the public against their leaders.

Otafire was quick to respond emphasising that it is the opposition that humiliated him at Namboole especially those from FDC.

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanya, retaliated and cautioned MPs to desist from discussing issues in anticipation for their own safety.

The State Minister for Internal Affairs, Obiga Mario Kania, says Simeo’s incident is being investigated by police that will come with a report over it.

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Member of Parliament for Ayivu County, Bernard Atiku

Parliament has granted leave to the Member of Parliament for Ayivu County, Bernard Atiku, who intends to introduce a private member’s bill for an Act entitled; “The prevention and prohibition of human sacrifice and harmful practices bill 2017”.

Atiku’s  motion seeking leave was seconded by the Woman Member of Parliament for Kumi district who is also the chairperson of the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association, Monica Amoding.

Atiku told Parliament that despite the existence of international instruments, national laws and government efforts in place to protect individuals right to life and degrading acts, ritual killings and human sacrifice practices are on rise in the country and that children are increasingly becoming the most common victims.

She said that the bill seeks to fight the growing evil of human sacrifices in Uganda saying  the witch craft Act has lost relevance in today’s circumstances.

Atiku noted that since 2009 about 219 cases of ritual murders have been reported from different parts of the country.

She pointed out that child sacrifice is highly happening in central region districts which include; Mukono, Masaka, Buikwe ,Mpigi ,Wakiso ,Kampala and in Busoga sub region especially in Jinja and few cases in West Nile and Northern Uganda

The Woman MP for Kumi district, Monica Amoding, noted that there is a feeling in the public that traditional medicine which involves blood and use of human body parts is stronger when applied to fight illness which justifies increase in cases of human sacrifice.

Government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa, said that government has no objection to this bill, saying that the mover of the bill is complimenting government efforts to stop acts of child sacrifice.

Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah granted the request for leave from Parliament to Atiku to go and prepare for the presentation of the bill.

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Moses Kasibante, MP for Rubaga North

Parliament has directed the Ministers of Security and Internal Affairs to explain the ongoing killings of people and brief the country under what circumstances police is shooting live bullets to the people.

The matter was raised before Parliament by the Member of Parliament for Nansana Municipality, Wayima Nsereko and Rubaga North MP, Moses Kasibante in relation to cases involving the killing of 2 women in Nansana Municipality and shooting a woman who was in the company of former cranes strike, Godfrey Massa.

Rubaga North MP Moses Kaisbante raised the matter before Parliament and asked government to explain why the police used live bullets to shoot at the former Uganda Cranes captain.

Last Thursday, police reported that Massa’s car was shot at by their officers near the Namboole flyover in Bweyogerere.

The MP for Kapelabyong County, Julius Ochen, criticised the government for not taking action when the civilians are being killed and demanded to know the causes of the rampant killings of people in the country.

The government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa, says that all the issues regarding killings and shootings will be forwarded to the Security Council that sits every Thursday.

The Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, ruled that the Nankabirwa gives the House a report next Tuesday after the Security Council’s meeting.

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Ruhakana Rugunda, Uganda’s prime minister Ruhakana Rugunda.

The motion to pay tribute to late Oketta was moved by the Prime Minister, Dr.Ruhakana Rugunda and seconded by the leader of opposition Winfred Kiiza.

Rugunda described Major General Oketta as an effective legislator and multi skilled person.

The deputy Speaker,  Jacob Oulanyah, said that the late Oketta will be missed for his work in Parliament.

The leader of opposition Winfred kiiza recalled that  Oketta as  a senior officer, he exhibited  a rare conduct in uniform and that as a unique military officer, he was always full of humility.

The chief of defence forces, General Katumba Wamala said that Oketta will also be remembered for his positive attitude towards all work he was assigned to do.

The Member of Parliament for Busiro East, Merdad Seggona, said that if promotion in the UPDF was by merit, Maj. Gen Oketta should not have died at that rank of a major general given his experience and qualification.

The late Julius Oketta.

Oketta who died of a blood clot in the lung and was buried on Wednesday in Amuru district.

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The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, had promised MPs that they would get their vehicles by October but they have not got them to date.

Kaliro district woman MP, Margaret Mbeiza, who wants government and parliamentary commission to give members of parliament their vehicles urgently, said the legislator risk getting into accidents with the current vehicles which are mostly worn out.

Mbeiza raised the concern in parliament during the Prime Minister’s question and answer time for members of parliament.

She says that MPs risk their lives using boda bodas to carry them when they are entitled to vehicles.

Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda.

However, when the Prime Minister, Dr.Ruhakana Rugunda questioned why MPs are not getting their vehicles, Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah ,said that the issue of vehicles for Parliamentarians will be addressed by the Parliamentary Commission .

A total of 431 members of parliament want each vehicle  at a cost of 200 million shillings.

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In yesterday’s Parliament’s proceeding Chaired by the deputy speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, MPs while recognizing the late Awuzu who succumbed to diabetes at Arua Regional Referral Hospital on Thursday morning, asked government to  increase on programmes that care the older persons in the country.

The motion to pay tribute to the late minister was moved by the First Deputy Prime and Deputy Leader of government business, Gen. Moses Ali and which was also seconded by the Leader of Opposition, Winfred Kiiza and the County Member of Parliament Bernard Atiku.

First Deputy Prime and Deputy Leader of government business, Gen. Moses Ali moved motion to recognise the late Awuzu.

Moses Ali praised the late Awuzu for serving diligently both as a minister and in military service as well as an engineer in his private works.

The Obongi County MP, Hassan Fungaro Kaps, urged government to have a directive where by the hospitals are built in country  especially in rural areas for proper treatment and caring  for older persons since their specialized hospitals for children and women.

Mukono Municipality MP, Betty Nambooze Bakireke, said that the 20,000 shillings promised to older persons should be given out to cater for their few needs because they are still useful to the country.

The late Awuzu at the time of death left behind 18 children and 4 widows.

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Minister of State Matia Kasaija.

The minister of finance, Matia Kasaija however angered MPs when he told parliament that the ministry released 3 billion shillings to address the problem however no more money will be released unless that money is accounted for.

Kasaija adds that the ministry of health has no capacity to absorb 11 billion shillings if it is released at once as asked by MPs.

The deputy speaker, Jacob Olanya however ruled the minister of finance Matia Kasaija out of order when he told parliament that the ministry of health has no capacity to absorb the money.

The state minister for health, Sarah Achieng Opendi says that Hepatitis B is a big problem in the country  and that the ministry can’t address it without finances.

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