Chaos as parliament debates proposed bill to regulate religious institutions

Chaos could return to  the August House, this time not as a result of another constitutional amendment but as a result of the Private member’s bill dubbed ‘the Religious Organizations bill 2019’ that seeks to regulate the religious activities.

In a Wednesday parliamentary sitting chaired by Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, there were voices from legislators for and against the motion that was tabled by Manjiya County legislator John Baptist Nambeshe that seeks to introduce the new bill.

According to Nambeshe, the bill is intended to regulate the activities of religious institutions, creating a single body that is mandated to register all religions, protect property of religious institutions among other functions.

But the House turned rowdy as some legislators supported the idea that Nambeshe should be granted leave to draft the bill.

Debate ensued on whether the parliament should grant leave to Nambeshe for the enactment of the bill or not.

Later with no sign of compromise, the speaker ordered MPs to vote on the matter.

The vote could not take place because of lack of quorum.