Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Speaker Rebecca Kadaga has ordered security organs other than the police to vacate parliament as tension rises ahead of the second reading of the “Age Limit” bill.
Kadaga also asked police to seal off the hallway linking the President’s Office and parliament, saying it should not be used as an entry point by security officers into parliament as happened on September 27. She also read out new rules of procedure that require all parliament police to wear uniform and have name tags.
“All staff of the Parliament Police must wear uniforms at all times with their name tags displayed. The House is a civilian institution and should be guarded by the Police. All other security organs must withdraw from Parliament and go elsewhere,” Kadaga told parliament on Tuesday.
“All other security organs if you are in Parliament I ask that you vacate the institution.”
She added that,” I am directing the sergeant at arms seals off the link between the President’s Office and Parliament.”
According to observers, the decisions by the speaker aim at showing Parliament is an independent institution following the fracas on September 27 when “sister security agencies” stormed the house to restore order after 25 suspended MPs refused to respect the ruling.
Fighting ensued then, as plain-clothes security operatives stormed parliament to help throw out the suspended but defiant Members of Parliament (MPs).
Kadaga later said she was not aware of the extra-security measures brought in by Sergeant at Arms, and wrote a letter to President Yoweri Museveni questioning the move. The President has not responded.
Age Limit not on order paper
With all eyes on the second reading of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, the Order paper only indicated it as an item to be considered later.
The “Age Limit” motion proposes constitutional amendments including changing article 102(b) to lift the age limit of 75 on the presidency. The move is seen as a significant step towards securing a free run for President Museveni to seek re-election in 2021.
Up for consideration on Tuesday for the plenary were the Anti-Counterfeiting Goods Bill, 2015; the Biofuels Bill, 2016 with the “Age Limit Bill” included in business to follow.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Goods Bill was pushed to next week, as the trade minister said he was not ready to present it. Speaker Kadaga expressed disappointment as the bill was first introduced during the 9th Parliament.
On recent bribery allegations against Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa as raised by MPs Ssemujju Nganda, Karuhanga and Ssekikubo, Kadaga said she will look at all the documents on the bribery allegations and rule on how parliament should handle it.
Leader of opposition Winnie Kiiza made a statement supporting the Speaker’s steps to ensure security in parliament and charged that police have stopped opposition from consulting on the constitution amendment bill.
Earlier, DP president Norbert Mao was held by police as he prepared to lead an anti Age-Limit demonstration.
President Yoweri Museveni also met the NRM caucus to discuss strategy ahead of the the constitutional ammendment bill reading that is now expected to be on the order paper on Wednesday.
@RebeccaKadaga : He is not dressed properly; he should vacate the House.
— Parliament of Uganda (@Parliament_UG) December 12, 2017
The Speaker directs all MPs wearing hats or caps to remove them as they are not part of the dress code. #PlenaryUg
— Parliament of Uganda (@Parliament_UG) December 12, 2017
Constitution Amendment No. 2 Bill 2017 by The Independent Magazine on Scribd
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