Oulanyah warns ministers who dodge Parliament

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, has castigated government ministers who dodge parliamentary sittings arguing their absence paralyses the activities of the House.

Yesterday, Oulanyah ordered the government Chief whip Ruth Nankabirwa to stop responding to representative’s queries meant to be answered by the different ministers.

"Where are the ministers? They are supposed to be here answering questions. Please do not respond on their behalf," Oulanyah said

According to the government plan, every Monday all ministers are supposed to attend a cabinet meeting that is usually chaired by the president.

From Tuesday to Thursday all ministers and legislators are supposed to attend to the parliamentary sittings.

For other days they are supposed to be in the areas of representation.

However, information at parliament indicates that not more than 10 out of 70 ministers attend the parliamentary sittings regularly a sitaution that Oulanyah says creates paralysis.

Nankabirwa said she is also tired of answering queries on behalf of some ministers.

"They should be in the House to explain what is going on in their respective ministries," she said.

According to Oulanyah, the regular absence of ministers from hampered this has undermined the activities of the August House.

Other MPs also expressed their disappointment  about the performance of the front bench.