Ssenyonyi Protests "Supersonic Speed" of Lumu Bill Processing.
The Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has written a protest letter to the Chairperson of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, Steven Baka Mugabi, questioning the rapid processing of the Lumu bill.
Ssenyonyi expressed concerns about the bill's swift progression, calling it "very suspicious" and likening it to an "emergency situation".
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In the letter, Ssenyonyi asked, "What is the rush about? Could it be that the direction the bill is to take has already been determined and the very quick stakeholders engagements are simply ritualistic to create an impression that consultations have been made regarding the bill?"
He also highlighted the committee's neglect of other critical private members' bills, saying, "You are aware that there are other critical private members' bills which touch issues that are relevant to the people of Uganda, that have been pending for such a long time and have not been given space on the order paper. Doesn't that concern you as chairperson of our esteemed legal and Parliamentary affairs committee?"
The committee had scheduled stakeholders, including Ssenyonyi and opposition party whips, to appear between Wednesday and Friday.
However, due to unpreparedness, the committee has called off engagements until next week.
Chairperson Baka Mugabi explained the reason for the expeditious consideration of the Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill 2024, saying it's a small bill that can be handled within a few days before proceeding to other bulk bills.