By Francis Lubega

25th February 2021

With the constitutional amendments continue to generate tension in Parliament and the public, a section of Members of Parliament have supported the removal of army representatives from the house.

Parliament is currently debating on the report presented by the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on the constitutional amendment bill that was brought by Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba.

Niwagaba in his proposal wants army representation to be scrapped but the committee report recommended that they should be maintained as ex-officials as they are mainly listening posts.

The Kasilo County MP Elijah Okupa opposed the committee’s decision to refer to the army MPs as listening posts saying that this is not one of the roles of MPs and said that if they are to be maintained their numbers should be reduced. There are 10 UPDF officers sitting in parliament.

The Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal says that the army should be non partisan and hence have no duty in a partisan Parliament.

The Majinya County MP John Baptist Nambeshe says that the army is not allowed to participate in multiparty politics and hence it’s very difficult for them to contribute meaningfully to a multiparty Parliament.


Thursday 25th February 2021 07:39:01 PM