Tayebwa defends regional sittings amid criticism over cost

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has defended Parliament's decision to hold regional sittings, saying the Rules of Procedure grant the Speaker the authority to determine the location of parliamentary sessions.

Tayebwa cited previous instances where Parliament convened at alternative venues such as Serena Hotel and Kololo Independence Grounds without requiring a formal motion for approval.

In response to allegations that Parliament would spend Shs 5 billion on the upcoming regional sitting in Northern Uganda, Tayebwa refuted the claim but did not disclose the actual cost to taxpayers.

He assured that MPs would be formally informed of the expenses in the coming week.

"I saw the media exchange, which was uncalled for. We need to be conscious of the statements we make," he said.

"I don’t believe we are spending Shs5 billion, as some have claimed. The public is now questioning our priorities, asking why we can’t use the money to pay interns instead. We must be cautious not to indirectly harm ourselves with such statements."

He further explained that under Rule 7 of the General Authority of the Speaker, the Speaker has the discretion to decide where sessions are held.

"That's how we convened at Kololo and Serena. I don't recall any motion being debated for such decisions. We will formally inform you of the plans on Tuesday or Wednesday," Tayebwa added.

Opposition legislators, however, have announced a boycott of the regional sittings scheduled to commence at the end of August, citing concerns over resource wastage.

"As the shadow cabinet, we believe it is problematic for us in the Opposition to participate in such an arrangement, especially when we haven’t been included in the planning process. The expenditure is difficult to justify to the public," said Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament.

Ssenyonyi also claimed that the Opposition was not consulted about the regional sittings, suggesting that there may be hidden motives behind the decision.

"These things are happening secretively, without the commission sitting to discuss them. This raises suspicions of a hidden agenda," he said, adding that such matters should be openly discussed.

In May 2024, Speaker Anita Annet Among announced plans to hold parliamentary sittings in four regions of Uganda, aiming to bring Parliament closer to the people.

This initiative followed the consideration of the Shs 72.130 trillion national budget for the 2024/25 fiscal year.

Among noted that many Ugandans only see their representatives on television and expressed the importance of physical interaction.

"Some people see us on cameras, but they want to meet us in person," she said.

Among also highlighted that the regional sittings would allow Parliament to witness firsthand the challenges faced by ordinary citizens across the country.

"Let’s go to the people. When we visit a region like Gulu, we must address all the issues affecting the northern region," she added.

The inaugural Northern regional sitting is scheduled for August 29 and 30 at Kaunda Playgrounds in Gulu City's Bardege-Layibi Division. Subsequent sittings are planned for Mbarara, Masaka, and Mbale.

Meanwhile, Members of Parliament from Northern Uganda criticized Ssenyonyi for his call to boycott the Gulu sitting.

They argued that the Shs20 billion budgeted for these sessions is minimal compared to the overall Shs 72 trillion national budget.

During a press briefing, they accused Ssenyonyi of opposing the initiative without considering its benefits, particularly the oversight functions that the allocated funds are intended to support.