PHOTO: Speaker presiding over Parliament today afternoon
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
PARLIAMENT sittings have resumed today after a recess, with a warning from Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among to cabinet ministers to desist from blackmailing Legislature and instead cooperate with Members of Parliament.
Presiding over today’s plenary, Madam Speaker told ministers that, “We are here constitutionally. Do what you are supposed to do. If you go blackmailing us in cabinet, it is none of our business, we shall do what we are supposed to do. We ask you questions, you must answer.”
Anita Among said, “When the House agrees that we need feedback from the executive, they should be able to present it to the House when it is required other than going to cabinet and lamenting.”
She however did not name ministers who blackmailed Parliament and what they exactly said in the cabinet.
A tough Speaking Anita Among directed Cabinet members to ensure that they play their role as a way of pushing for the full realisation of the targets that Parliament sets.
“Prime Minister and all ministers must ensure that whatever President Museveni outlined in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) at Kololo last month are fully achieved.” Speaker told Parliament.
To realise this, she said cabinet has to deliver on its mandate without fail. Among this includes timely introduction of all the 62 Bills outlined by the Head of State and always offer timely answers to questions raised on the floor.
“I urge the executive to be responsive to the demands and requirements of the legislature with regards to the inputs and legislative process that has been laid today,” the Speaker said.
In a bid to push for high quality and informed debates, Speaker urged all MPs to ensure their submissions are premised on qualitative and quantitative research.
She believes that this will help Parliament expedite and execute their tasks. In the same breath, she rallied all MPs to embrace speed in their roles which include oversight and appropriation.
“We started the first session while walking, we must start this one while running,” Said Speaker Among, cautioning legislators to work harder for there is no more joking, it’s time to deliver 100%.
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