Government Presents Bills for Consolidation of Agencies

The government put forward nine legislative proposals to the legislative body, targeting the formalization of measures to enhance efficiency across different sectors of the economy.

These proposals aim to amend current laws that underpin entities in commerce, education, finance, domestic governance, water resources and environmental protection, agriculture, infrastructure and transport, social development, and tourism sectors.

The proposals were introduced by the Secretaries overseeing these sectors during a session in front of the assembly on Tuesday, February 20.

Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament, delegated the proposals to the appropriate Assembly Committees, urging members to review and provide their input by Tuesday, February 27.

“Following Regulation 129(2) of the Procedure Regulations, which allows Committees 45 days to deliberate on a legislative proposal, considering the budget process, we shall promptly begin work on these proposals,” Among said.

Additionally, Wilson Muruli Mukasa, the Minister for Civil Service, presented the Charter (Adjustment) Proposal, 2023, which seeks to consolidate the Fairness Opportunities Commission with the Uganda Human Liberties Commission.

This legislative proposal is designed to consolidate management structures to oversee legal reform initiatives in Uganda by establishing a dedicated legal reform unit within the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

Nevertheless, some Assembly members voiced concerns about advancing this proposal before receiving an update on the establishment of the Constitutional Review Panel.

Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa recalled that the Assembly had previously halted discussions on constitutional amendments pending the Executive's creation of the Panel.

“By approving this legislative proposal, we would be both endorsing and rejecting it simultaneously. Madam Speaker, is it prudent to move forward with this proposal without fulfilling our commitment to establish a Constitutional Review Panel?” Basalirwa inquired.

Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of the Opposition, stressed the importance of thoroughly evaluating the constitutional amendments, and considering the suggestions by certain Assembly members to modify the Constitution.

Kiryowa Kiwanuka, the legal advisor, noted that Norbert Mao, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, has received 73 recommendations for constitutional amendments and is consulting with Assembly members.

“He has directed the Uganda Law Review Commission to gather these recommendations and assess their implications on the Constitution. This process is in progress, and a report will be presented to the Assembly as soon as possible,” Kiwanuka clarified.

Furthermore, five more legislative proposals were introduced for their initial readings, including the Nationwide Tribunal Proposal, 2023, the Adjustment and Conciliation (Amendment), 2024, and the Karamoja Advancement Authority (Revocation) Proposal, 2024.

Also under consideration by the Assembly are the Uganda National Information Technology Authority, Uganda (Amendment) Proposal, 2024, and the Nationwide Documents and Records (Amendment) Proposal, 2024.