BY ALEX PITHUA
Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Annette Anita Among broke silent over the move by opposition MPs to boycott planned regional sittings saying these oppositions are getting support from homosexuals’ promoters.
Among revealed that regional sittings is legal and and doesn’t affect the budget of the country, “then the intent of telling that spent shs 5 billion is a lie.”
“We are here because of three things; representation, legislation and oversights role. We are not making any mistake by sitting in Gulu but we are doing inclusivity and we want to customize by sitting regionally.” Speaker Amongi explained to Journalists from Northern Uganda Media Club (NUMEC) at Bomah Hotel in Gulu city on Tuesday evening.
The first regional sitting is underway with the beehives of activities ongoing, and first plenary expected commence today at 10:00am at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu city
“Think about the judiciary they are sitting anywhere in the country, see where “Tojikwatako” was handled in Mbale; we are going to pass same proclamations as we do in Parliament in Kampala and it’s going to be binding.” She observed adding, “The fight which is in the Parliament is homosexuals that’s why we are being fought.”
Uganda Parliament overwhelmingly passed the anti-homosexuality law with full quorum with current speaker Among presiding over Parliament a year ago but some western countries blended the law as controversial and subsequently cutting off some aids to Uganda.
The Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi had made several attempts to rally the MPs and citizens to boycott the notion of regional sittings after Parliament proclaimed this, lamenting that it’s wastage of tax payers money.
But the MPs who were with speaker Among at Bomah hotel rubbished Ssenyonyi’s claim calling it baseless.
Hamson Obua, the government government chief whip says these regional sittings are historically legal pointing that it’s stipulated in the constitution of Uganda Article 95 (2) and passed by the then Constitutional Assembly.
Obed Bwanika reiterated that, the regional sittings are going to focus on what will benefit all regions. He applauded the the speaker for initiating these sittings, “Parliament is not on social media but it’s where the speaker is and members of Parliament, this is a brilliant decision.” Bwanika added
Martine Ojara Mapenduzi, the Bardege Layibi MP in Gulu city, lashed at Ssenyonyi claims that the Parliamentarians are lavishly spending shillings 20 billion on the regional sittings a hawk and propaganda, “this is propaganda and politics at play and it’s purely diversionary.” Mapenduzi
Mapenduzi commended the media houses and journalists from the Northern Uganda for actively giving adequate coverage on the sitting in Gulu city.
For his part the director communication in Parliament Chris Obore, said the Parliament is operating within it’s budget and urged the journalists to report objectively.
“If we give the MPs shs 400,000 for their accomodations and meals what’s wrong with that and this money has has budgeted for.” Obore
The Parliament have already participated in several activities under cooperate social responsibility; including launching blood donation campaign, building toilet facility at Peace primary school, visiting resting place of late former speaker Jacob Olanya, visiting Rwot David One Acana ll at his palace and launching foundation stone for perimeter wall fence for Kaunda Grounds
