BRIEF NEWS

  KAMPALA — Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Muslim Parliamentary Caucus visited the Kibuli Mosque today for Friday Juma prayers. The lawmakers attended the prayers following an invitation from Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu, the traditional leader of the Muslim community in Uganda. After the prayers, the Prince hosted the MPs for a lunch gathering. During the visit, Prince Nakibinge made a strong appeal to the politicians. He urged them to look past their political parties when making laws for the country. Instead, he told them to focus on the things that bring the people of Uganda together. "Legislate beyond party lines on behalf of the voters. Focus on the factors that unite the country." — Prince Kassim Nakibinge Kakungulu. In response, the head of the Muslim MP group, Hon. Hassan Kirumira, thanked the Prince for the invitation. He promised that the Muslim MPs in the current parliament are fully committed to working hard for the community. Hon. Kirumira stated tha...

The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Annet Among, has shared a message of thanks following the national inauguration ceremonies. She began by thanking God for the gift of life and for the peaceful events that have taken place across the country. Speaker Among sent a warm message of congratulations to President Yoweri Museveni. She praised his successful swearing-in as the President and the Commander-in-Chief of the Ugandan armed forces. She also extended her best wishes to all Ugandans as the country begins this new leadership term. In her message, she spoke directly to the people of Bukedea. She thanked them for trusting her to be their Member of Parliament in the past and for electing her to serve them again in the new term. She noted that she has worked hard to represent their interests and is ready to continue that work in the 12th Parliament. Finally, she praised the security agencies for their hard work. She thanked the police and the army for keeping the country stable and peaceful ...

Gen. Moses Ali has officially started his new term as a Member of Parliament. On Wednesday, he took his oath of office during a ceremony at Parliament House in Kampala. The oath was led by the Clerk to Parliament, Hon. Adolf Mwesige. Gen. Moses Ali will represent the people of Adjumani West County once again. He is joining the 12th Parliament, which is the group of leaders who will make laws for Uganda over the next five years. This swearing-in process is a legal requirement for all elected members before they can begin their work and vote on important national issues. The event is part of a three-day schedule where hundreds of lawmakers are being sworn in. Many leaders and guests attended to watch the members promise to serve their country faithfully. Following this ceremony, the new Parliament will meet to choose its top leaders and start its daily business.

  Kampala, Uganda – The Deputy Speaker of Uganda's Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has met with Swami Shree Madhavapriyadasji, a respected Hindu spiritual leader and educator. The meeting took place at the Parliament building. Swami Shree Madhavapriyadasji is the founder and chairman of Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratishthanam (SGVP), an organization based in Ahmedabad, India. He is known for promoting traditional values, encouraging different faiths to talk to each other, and helping communities develop. Tayebwa thanked the Swami for visiting Uganda. He also praised him for his work in promoting peace around the world and for his support for education, especially for girls in rural India and other countries. The Deputy Speaker noted that the visit was made possible by the Indian community in Uganda. Tayebwa expressed his deep appreciation for the community's contributions, which include: Helping children with heart problems get life-saving surgeries in India. Supportin...

Senate President of Eswatini and National Assembly Speaker of Lesotho, Rt. Hon. Lindiwe Thulile Dlamini and Rt. Hon Tlohang Sekhamane, Touch Down for #CSPOC2024" In a significant development, the President of the Senate of Eswatini, Rt. Hon. Lindiwe Thulile Dlamini, and her counterpart from the National Assembly of Lesotho, Rt. Hon Tlohang Sekhamane, have officially arrived at Entebbe International Airport to participate in the upcoming #CSPOC2024. The distinguished delegates were warmly received by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

Speaker Anita Among held discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Malaysia, Rt. Hon Johari Abdul. During the meeting, Speaker Among expressed Uganda's eagerness to enhance investment cooperation with Malaysia and strengthen the bilateral relations between the two parliamentary bodies. Speaker Johari emphasized the significance of East and Africa cooperation in fostering opportunities for the growing population and positioning the region for a prominent role in the 21st century. In a gesture of collaboration, Speaker Johari extended an offer to attract Malaysian investors to Uganda's agriculture sector. The meeting took place in anticipation of the 27th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers (CSPOC), scheduled to officially commence tomorrow.

  President Yoweri Museveni, serving as both the NRM National Chairman and the Head of State, has granted his formal approval to six significant bills.  These include The Anti-Homosexuality Bill of 2023, Museums and Monuments Bill 2022, Public Health Amendment Bill 2022, Markets Bill 2022, Microfinance Deposits Taking Institutions Amendment Bill 2022, and the Law Reform (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2023.  With the President's assent, these bills have attained the status of law and will be implemented throughout Uganda.

  Uganda's parliament has unanimously passed the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023, which will criminalize acts of homosexuality, imposing a 20-year jail term for offenders.  The bill also includes provisions for the death penalty in cases of aggravated homosexuality. If signed into law by the president, the bill will seek to protect traditional family values and criminalize the promotion of same-sex relations.  It proposes a penalty of shs1 billion for legal entities promoting homosexuality, with a life sentence for individuals convicted of the offense.  The bill also imposes a three-year imprisonment on children convicted of the act of homosexuality. The legal and parliamentary affairs committee's chairperson, Hon. Robina Rwakoojo, said that the bill aimed to address emerging matters that are not contained in Uganda's Penal Code, including the promotion and recruitment of children into homosexuality.  While some legislators raised concerns that the bill infringes ...

  Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has issued a stern warning to corrupt officials over the Parish Development Model (PDM), a microfinance scheme aimed at funding local enterprises.  Speaking to Parliament, Museveni vowed to crack down on any individuals who attempt to siphon off the PDM funds or the associated Emyooga money, and urged farmers to stick to products supported by the government.  The President also announced a $150m dairy deal with Algeria, as well as a charm offensive to get Nigeria to accept Ugandan products.  Museveni also waded into the debate over homosexuality, calling members of the LGBTQI community "deviants" and dismissing attempts by Western countries to impose their values on Uganda.  A Bill on homosexuality is currently being processed by Parliament, sparking concern from the international community.

  In a bold move, the Speaker of Uganda's Parliament, Anita Among, has returned 500 iron sheets meant for the disarmament programme in Karamoja sub-region, which she received from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).  During the plenary sitting on Wednesday, March 15th, 2023, Among stated that she had taken a personal decision as a leader to return the iron sheets to protect the image of Parliament.  Among maintained that she had not requested the iron sheets and urged MPs not to consider recipients of the iron sheets as thieves.  Her actions were commended by MPs who called on other recipients to follow her example.  The iron sheets saga is currently under investigation by Parliament's Committee on Presidential Affairs.

  Officials from the Ministry of Education and Sports have been requested by Parliament's Education and Sports Committee to provide a list of all universities that requested supplementary funding in the current financial year.  Members of Parliament expressed concern that the Ministry's report on the use of supplementary funds only covered a few universities.  During the meeting on Tuesday, Minister of State for Sports, Peter Ogwang, reported that 44.873 billion Shillings had been spent under the Education Skills Development and Sports sub-programme, with five universities benefiting from part of the funds, including Makerere University and Mountains of the Moon University.  However, MPs raised questions as to why universities from Northern and Eastern Uganda were not highlighted and called for equal opportunities for all Ugandans in higher education.

  The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has urged the Ministry of Kampala and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to quickly repair potholes on city roads in order to prevent fatalities during the rainy season.  She has also called for improved drainage systems to prevent flooding, which has become a recurring problem in the city.  This follows heavy rains on Tuesday that left the city flooded and resulted in the death of a boda boda rider whose motorcycle was washed away.  The Speaker has called on the Ministry of Disaster to be on standby for rescue operations during the rainy season.  The KCCA Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaka, has previously stated that the patchwork being done on the city's roads is aimed at ensuring motorability in the short term.

  Kira Municipality MP, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, has raised concerns about the venue for President Museveni's upcoming address to Parliament.  Ssemujju believes it is unfair to expect lawmakers to travel to Kololo Independence Grounds to hear the President speak, especially since Parliament already purchased a large tent to accommodate sessions at their own premises.  The MP also expressed concerns about the President's security forces and suggested that convening Parliament at Kololo would put lawmakers at risk. In response, Speaker Anita Among defended the decision, citing the larger capacity of the venue and hoping to see a turnout of over 500 legislators.

Speaker Anita Among has announced that President Yoweri Museveni will address the Parliament next week on Thursday, 16 March 2023.  The address, which is in accordance with Article 101(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, will cover matters of national importance regarding the country's economy and society.  This will be the President's first address to the House since June 2018, when he spoke on the state of security in the country.  Members of Parliament have frequently called for the President to address Parliament on issues of national significance, including the security situation.

  Parliament is set to move forward with the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2023 following the issuance of a certificate of financial implication by the Ministry of Finance.  Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa presented the Private Member's Bill for First Reading on Thursday, 09 March 2023, alongside the certificate issued on 08 March 2023.  The Finance Minister confirmed that the Bill will be implemented within existing budgetary provisions and will not generate revenue or savings for the government.  Basalirwa called on legislators to publicly declare their support for the Bill. Speaker Anita Among referred the Bill to the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs with a reminder to ensure sufficient public hearings.  The Bill seeks to prohibit same-sex sexual relations and marriage in order to protect the traditional family and vulnerable children and youth.

The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, has expressed concerns over the penalties imposed on poor waste management by the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).  During a plenary session on Thursday, 09 March 2023, Mpuuga questioned the decision behind the fines ranging from Shs3 million to Shs100 million, targeting motorists and pedestrians caught disposing of waste poorly.  According to Mpuuga, the fines are unrealistic and inequitable, and the Ministry of Environment needs to explain how they were conjured up.  Mpuuga also demanded a solution to the ongoing industrial action by senior district health officers over delayed payments and raised the issue of arbitrary arrests of citizens by security operatives without natural justice.  The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamison Obua, promised to seek responses from the concerned ministers.