NRM MPs casting their votes to select members to the EALA

As the elections of representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) draws near, Parliament has suspended inland and external travels for MPs so that they can be available during Election Day due 28th February 2017.
The travel ban is takes effective on between 27th and 28th February according to the House’s Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, who also named the 20 members verification committee for EALA candidates.

The committee consists of Florence Namayanja ,Rose Mutonyi Masaba ,Jessica Ababiku ,Safia Nalule,Dr.Sam Lyomoki, Rukia Chakamondo,Moses Balyeku,Mwine Mpaka ,wislson Nochrach,Alum Santa among others .
The EALA verification committee will be chaired by Ntungamo district woman MP, Beatrice Rwakimari and the Committee is expected to verify all candidates from independents and political parties before the elections 28th February 2017.

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Inmates at Uganda’s maximum prison in Luzira.

Members of Parliament  have thrown their weight behind the  privatization of   state prisons by  government saying this will enable prisoners enjoy their human rights fully without hindrances.

The legislators’ approval of the plan comes in the wake of a government proposal seek to privatize all  state prisons in order to improve on the welfare of inmates.

MPs while making there contributions during a mock debate with the students of selected schools around Kampala said the proposal will help government improve on the economy through better utilisation of the inmate’s labour.

Soroti municipality MP, Herbert Ariko ,Female national MP, Anna Adeke ,Kitgum municipality MP, Beatrice Anywar ,Western region youth MP, Mwine Mpaka all agreed that privatising the prisons was the best option that would better ensure that resources are used optimally.

The mock debate between MPs and students from the secondary schools, was organized by the National Debate Council in conjunction with the Parliament of Uganda, and was held in the Parliamentary Chambers.

Mpaka said privatizing prisons would free up much needed resources for other sectors like education and health.

Kitgum Municipality MP Beatrice Anywar.

Anywar said that considering that prisons are meant for rehabilitation, private players would be better positioned to take on the role. She also said that innocent children were being incarcerated together with their mothers.

Ariko said privately run prisons would better help inmates integrate into society at the end of their sentences.

Students however rejected the initiative, arguing that in doing so, government was running away from its mandate of keeping criminals out of the public eye in favour of profits. They disagreed with the proposal that prisoners need to enjoy the rights and luxuries that would be provided by private operators.

Students argued that fighting crime was so risky to be put in private hands and argued that government rather addresses the issues leading to increased crime in the country.

The students asked Government to address corruption in the system that has led to terrible conditions in prisons.

Mengo SS won the 7th National Schools Debate Championship and Mbarara High School become runners up.

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Mpaka was elected unopposed by both members of parliament and stakeholders interested in fronting issues of youths during a parliamentary session on Wednesday.

The Western Youth MP said his leadership will lobby more resources for the youth and fight high unemployment.

Mpaka is also calling for value for money on the various government youth programmes.

“I will call on the government to re-allocate some of the money for Operation Wealth Creation to irrigation so as to attract more youths in the agricultural sector,” he says.

Western Youth MP also argues that the Youth Livelihood Programme which is an initiative of the Permanent Secretary for the Gender Ministry, Pius Bigirimana was mooted without the input of youth leaders.

National Youth MP, Anna Adeke was also elected as a General Secretary.

Mpaka has been elected with 7 others to run the forum as executive members for the next 2 and half years. Eastern Youth MP Ishma Mafabi was voted Vice Chairperson while Northern Region MP, Oscar Omony is the treasurer, Kole North County, Bonny Okello is Publicity Secretary, National female youth MP Anna Adeke beat Yumbe MP Alioni Odria for General Secretary while Buhweiju MP Francis Mwijukye beat Kyegegwa Woman MP Stella Kizza as the
representative for the Western region.

Other regional representatives for the North (Ismail Ogama), Central (Suubi Kinyamatama and Eastern (Apollo Yeri) were elected unopposed.

Earlier, organizers gave 3 minutes each to candidates to campaign, and Adeke and Odria had to convince the 32 voters on why they were the better suited candidates for General Secretary. Odria who is opposed to Florence Nakiwala’s appointment as minister of state for youths because she is not a youth says there is need for projects that benefit youths.

Adeke played the gender card to secure the position because she had initially eyed the top most seats but was not nominated.
The parliamentary forum on youth affairs focuses on legislating and advocating for youth responsive development.

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