Opposition MPs walking out of the plenary in boycott
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I The Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) Amendment Bill is set to sail through Parliament enroute to becoming law upon the President’s consent.
The UPDF (Amendment) Bill has several points of contention, primarily focusing on the jurisdiction of military courts and the ability to try civilians in these courts. Specifically, the bill allows for the trial of civilians in court martial under certain circumstances, such as for offenses like murder, aggravated robbery, or treason
This followed the endorsement by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Members of Parliament, who make the majority in the House.
According to the Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua, the Caucus’s unanimous support for both the UPDF Amendment Bill and a Private Member’s Bill aimed at amending the Political Parties and Organisations Act, was reached after a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe.
He said that their unanimous endorsement aligns with an earlier Caucus resolution.
“This is in fulfillment of a Supreme Court ruling that necessitated specific legislative adjustments to the UPDF Act,” told members of the media in an earlier interview.
He said the Caucus has also thrown its weight behind a Private Member’s Bill that seeks to amend the Political Parties and Organisations Act.
The proposed amendment, introduced by Napak Woman MP, Faith Nakut would require all political parties to be members of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) as a prerequisite for accessing government funding.
Currently, the Act provides government funding to political parties represented in Parliament under Section 14.
Opposition boycott
In the meantime, Opposition Members of Parliament, led by Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi boycotted today’s plenary session, over what they termed as the rushed handling of the UPDF Amendment Bill.
They accused the Government of fast-tracking the two critical bills without allowing adequate time for public consultations.
However, Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament and Baja Stephen Mugabi, the chairperson of the Legal Committee defended the timeline, saying that the rules of procedure require the bills to be processed within 45 days.
The objective of the UPDF (Amendment) Bill, 2024, is to amend the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces Act, Cap. 330, to streamline the composition of the organs and structures of the Defence Forces; to establish a Health Care Service for the members of the Defence Forces; to establish the Medical Board; to provide for the management of veteran affairs; to repeal the Uganda Veterans Assistance Board Act, Cap. 221; and for other related matters.
