Gulu's Kaunda Grounds selected for Northern region Parliamentary session

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among is moving forward with her plan to hold parliamentary sittings across Uganda’s four regions, starting with Northern Uganda.

This initiative, though facing significant opposition from some leaders, including Internal Affairs Minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, is praised by supporters as a step towards more inclusive governance.

On Thursday, Chris Obore, Parliament’s Director of Communication and Public Affairs, confirmed that the first of these regional sittings will take place at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City from August 28 to 30, 2024.

“Article 95(2) of the Constitution, read together with Rules 7 and 8 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, allows the Speaker to determine the place and time within Uganda where Parliament may sit,” Obore explained.

“The Rt Hon. Speaker has, by proclamation, appointed Kaunda Grounds in Gulu City as the next venue for the sittings of Parliament.”

Despite the legal backing, opposition voices have been vocal in their disapproval. Joel Ssenyonyi, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, criticized the plan as an unnecessary and costly endeavour.

“Each of the four planned sessions is to cost about 5 billion shillings. It does not make logical or even economic sense to transport the entire Parliament and staff for such sittings, plus all the other logistics. We can have the sittings in our chambers at Parliament as usual and still deliberate for the good of all the different regions without spending that money to go there,” Ssenyonyi argued.

He further emphasized the need for practical solutions over symbolic gestures, stating, “What people in the North, West, East, and Central need are functional hospitals, good roads, and proper service delivery generally, not a visit from 529 MPs, and moreover, at that huge cost.”

However, Obore countered these criticisms, stating that the leadership of Parliament believes regional sittings will enhance the legislative and oversight roles of Parliament.

“Members of Parliament, in fulfilment of their constitutional oversight mandate, will first assess the impact of the programs implemented in the regions and will legislate having lived the experiences of the people in the different regions,” he said.

Obore also highlighted that these sittings are part of Parliament’s annual work plan and budget, dispelling rumours of supplementary expenditure.

As the debate continues, the impact of these regional sittings will likely be scrutinized closely, with the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of the initiative remaining key points of contention.