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Mityana South MP Richard Lumu, consults Speaker Among on the bill
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PARLIAMENT - In a recent proposal review, the government rejected the idea of holding elections for the Leader of the Opposition, asserting that this is a matter of policy, not law. Instead, the government is seeking an amendment to the Administration of Parliament Act that would mandate either the Minister of Finance or the Prime Minister to attend Parliamentary Commission meetings when key decisions are made.
The government’s stance was presented by Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi in his written submission to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, addressing the Administration of Parliament Amendment Bill, 2024. The bill was tabled by Mityana South MP Richard Lumu.
Additionally, Lumu's proposal to add a slot on the Parliamentary Commission for smaller opposition parties was also dismissed. Kafuuzi explained that adding a second opposition representative among the four Commissioners, who are part of the nine-member Commission, would disrupt the balance of power that favors the largest party or the government. “Introducing a second opposition member would distort the principle of numerical strength,” Kafuuzi noted.
The Deputy Attorney General further highlighted that the proposed amendment would impose a financial burden on the Consolidated Fund, which conflicts with Article 93(a)(ii) of the Constitution.
“When the Parliamentary Commission sits and makes decisions, these may require parliamentary approval and can have financial implications,” Kafuuzi emphasized. “To prevent potential constitutional violations, it is necessary for the quorum at any Commission meeting to include an executive member, particularly the Leader of Government Business or a representative from the Ministry of Finance."
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