Ezrah Kashumbusha.
KAMPALA, February 28, 2024 | The government of Uganda has decided to withdraw 36 bills related to the rationalization and merging of government agencies. The decision was made citing irregularities in the tabling process and deficiencies in the certificates of financial implication.
According to Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, the irregularities came to light after the bills were tabled on February 20, 2024. Among noted that out of the 36 bills, only three were found to have fully processed certificates. Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka confirmed the decision, stating that bills with defective financial implication certificates will be withdrawn and resubmitted.
Among the bills withdrawn are those pertaining to various sectors such as Education, Trade, Social Development, Tourism, Internal Affairs, Agriculture, and Water and Environment. Members of Parliament expressed concern over the situation, with the Member for Kira Municipality raising the issue of setting a precedent by allowing bills to be corrected after submission.
MP Jonathan Odur of Erute South emphasized the importance of following proper procedures to avoid anomalies in bill processing. He criticized the handling of the bills, describing the situation as “ugly, deformed, and defective.”
However, amidst the withdrawal of several bills, some were retained for further consideration. These include bills related to the Uganda National Information Technology Authority, Uganda National Records and Archives, and the Karamoja Development Agency.
The incident on February 22, 2024, saw Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, Justice Minister Nobert Mao, and Public Service Chief Muruli Mukasa being pushed out of Parliament due to the presentation of incomplete bills. Legislators on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee highlighted that the bills did not adhere to Section 76 of the Public Finance Management Act 2015, which requires accompanying certificates of financial implications for every bill introduced in Parliament.
