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Uganda in Shs41 trillion debt

Agnes Tumuheire — Wed, 03 Oct 2018 11:15:05 +0000

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.

In a statement to Parliament read by Bahati, government also said the debt stock has increased from US$2.5 billion in the 2006/2007 financial year to US$10.7 billion by the end of the last financial year.

By the end of June 2018, the total debt amounted to US$10 billion, with external debt accounting for 67 per cent.

According to minister Bahati the the rising debt has been caused by the stagnant tax collection.

“Our tax base is not growing at the same rate,” he added, putting the tax to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio at 14.3 per cent.

The domestic debt stands at 32.4 per cent, most of which is drawn from local commercial banks.

Public debt is at 30 per cent. However the opposition members of parliament have objected a figure the Opposition is reluctant to believe.

Hon Ibrahim Ssemujju, the chief opposition Whip condemned government’s actions of piling up debts a thing that has put the country at stake.

“After borrowing this money, and we see the way His Excellency the President is throwing money at youth groups…you just need to be prudent on the way you spend money,” Ssemujju said.

Budadiri West MP Nandala Mafabi urged the government to come up with a gross loan request during the drafting of the National Budget.

“As soon as we pass a loan, the first people to celebrate are the sharks out there…if we put in a basket fund, the bids will not be expensive,” remarked Nandala.

Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, referred the statement to the Committee on National Economy.

“The challenge that I face when presiding here is killing debate…just see the way we are proceeding now, we make these issues so trivial yet they are very serious,” said Oulanyah.

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Indian Prime Minister to address Parliament

Agencies — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 07:53:33 +0000

By Nicholas Muteesasira

Narendra Modi the Indian Prime Minister will address the Parliament on Wednesday, 25 July 2018.
In his communication during the sitting of the House on Tuesday, 17 July 2018, the Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah said that the Indian Prime Minister who is expected in the country on 24 July 2018 will address the House.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is expected in the country on 24 July 2018 will address the House

“This is to inform you that the time for his visit has been confirmed as 10am. I urge members to arrive in the chamber early ahead of President Yoweri Museveni and his guest,” Oulanyah said.
He also called on MPs to exercise caution during the Indian Prime Minister visit saying, “… hosting a visiting head of state in Parliament is not an ordinary event. We should reflect dignity and honour which is commensurate to Parliament”.

Rule 220(2) provides for visiting Heads of State and other dignitaries to address Parliament.
“Distinguished persons from within or without the nation may be allowed by the Speaker to address the House on any matter of importance,” the Rule states.
The visiting Prime Minister is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Yoweri Museveni. The prime Minister of India Narendra Modi addressing the house in India.

300 crocodiles slaughtered by an angry mob in Indonesia after killing a man

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NRM MPS disagree with decision to transfer leadership of Human Rights Committee to Independents

Isaac Senabulya — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 16:42:12 +0000

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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MP granted leave to prepare a bill on the prevention of human sacrifice

Isaac Senabulya — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 13:46:07 +0000

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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Rampant killings in the country worries MPs, security ministers summoned

Isaac Senabulya — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 12:58:28 +0000

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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Opposition, NRM unit to mourn Oketta whom they said had rare humility

Gerald Businge — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 14:01:32 +0000

Opposition and ruling NRM Members of Parliament this week united in grief to pay tribute to late Maj Gen. Julius Oketta, for his great tireless services and efforts to the country at different levels.

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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MPs raise dust over delayed allocation of vehicles.

Isaac Senabulya — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 11:37:32 +0000

Parliament is under pressure over the delayed granting of vehicles to the members of parliament.

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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MPs pay tribute to late Minister of Works Andruale Awuzu for exemplary contribution.

Gerald Businge — Fri, 23 Sep 2016 11:40:34 +0000

Parliament has paid tribute to the former Minister of Works and Member of Parliament for the Vuura County, the late Andruale Awuzu, whom they say worked tirelessly as a person to improve the road network in the country.

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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Oulanyah asks IGAD to tackle youth unemployment and extremism

Isaac Senabulya — Fri, 02 Sep 2016 13:54:08 +0000

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah has asked the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Eastern Africa to address the issue of youth unemployment in their effort to find solution to terrorism.

Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah.

Oulanya made the remarks while meeting a team of IGAD member which is currently soliciting views on the need of the region to counteract terrorism threat led by the chief executive officer of the Africa policy Institute Prof.Peter Kagwanja.

He said that there should be a mechanism that will make youth employed so as are not targeted by elements of terrorism activities.

Oulanya said that IGAD should have a strategy which does not interrogate only the effects of terrorism but find out the possible conditions that force some body to venture into terrorism extremism.

He added that IGAD should have individuals advocating for anti-terrorism who could have passed the test of impartiality so as they deal with the issue of violent extremism in a realistic manner.

Prof.Kagwanja, who is the member on the IGAD team soliciting views on how to counteract terrorism, said that they expect to give out a realistic report with better strategies to deal with terrorism in the IGAD region.

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MPs summon Kutesa over leaked documents in New York

Isaac Senabulya — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 12:51:29 +0000

Foreign Affairs Minister, Sam Kutesa.

Parliament has summoned the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sam Kutesa, to give a statement over the state of Uganda’s Missions and Embassies abroad.
The move follows a recent embarrassing situation in Uganda’s Embassy in United States where a Ugandan diplomat, Kintu Nyago a few days ago is said to have “accidentally” shared a confidential government brief about South Sudan with the UN Security Council, triggering a diplomatic incident and embarrassment.

Hon. Jack Wamanga Wamayi the Mbale Municipality MP and Hon. Felix Okot Ogong the MP for Dokolo South while discussing before the house in parliament questioned the capacity of Uganda’s officers whom they said are a mere political appointments to the missions abroad.

They argued that such jobs require people who are well trained and conversant with diplomatic methods of work.
“We feel very embarrassed when an officer reduces Uganda to a laughing stock like it was in New York when the Uganda’s Charge` d’ affaires, Kintu Nyago, shared a private mission document on South Sudan with UN Security Council. This shows that office cannot handle sensitive information about our Country. We need to have competent officers in such offices if those currently in place cannot handle the tasks,” Wamayi charged.
Okot on his part questioned why the Minister of Foreign Affairs is never in Parliament to brief parliament on matters under his ministry.

“We have lately had many issues that need clarification from the Foreign Affairs Minister but he is never in the house the clear the air about these bad public images,” Okot noted.
It was at this point that Deputy Speaker, Jacob Oulanyah, ordered the Minister of Foreign Affairs to bring a statement to Parliament and a report clarifying how a confidential document was leaked to the UN Security Council was leaked by Uganda’s representative in New York.

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