The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga, has refuted allegations that Parliament delayed the passing of the electoral reforms because of her party’s position. The Speaker said that she had asked the Executive to table the Electoral Bills early but this was not the case.

She said that it’s a matter of regret that the Bills were tabled in Parliament by government towards the end of the Fifth session instead of during the Second and Third sessions of Parliament. Kadaga added that it is not only the Opposition that demanded for amendments but there was a lot of interest from different stake holders who needed the changes in the laws for better governance and peaceful elections.

She however said that there may be a review commission which can also take into consideration the interest of the Parliamentary Commission to amend some laws that will cater for the independence and the concept of separation of powers. She said that her role is to defend the Constitution and present the interest of the people of Uganda, and Parliament should not be blamed for the delay in amending of the Legislations. She also added that despite claims that the Bills presented by government were shallow, the Opposition had not moved any Private Members Bill to reflect their wide-ranging proposals on electoral reforms.

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Hon. Mubarak Munyagwa Mugati-gwabata

Police used tear gas while arresting Kawempe Division Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa Mugati-gwabata  and  over 20 Youth Activists allegedly under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) while taking Electoral reforms to parliament. Earlier today police beefed up security at all entrances of parliament after getting information that the youths would storm parliament to demand for changes in the electoral laws.

Munyagwa says that he was taking views on the election reforms together with the Youths’ parliamentary committee on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and in  the process as they forced their way into parliament police arrested them. The Youths say that there cannot be transparent election without constitutional reform.

The youth Activists claim that  they are tired of the parliament which is influenced by the Executive on the electoral reforms.

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