Gulu City is set to host the inaugural regional parliament sitting this month. Revelation was made by Chris Obore, the Director of Communications at Parliament.
The northern regional sitting is scheduled for August 28-30 at Kuanda Grounds, Bardege-Layibi division in Gulu City. Other settings will follow in Masaka, Mbale, and Mbarara cities. The regional sittings are aimed at creating a people-centred parliament.
The land question in Apaa, the Karuma bridge, the border concerns, the cattle rustling, the parish development model (PDM), and Myoga sagas by technical persons and politicising government programs are expected to take centre stage.
According to Obore, regional sittings will be a normal parliament sitting; however, some MPs have motions regarding issues in northern Uganda, and those motions will lead to resolutions of parliament.
“Parliament buses will be used for transport, but those who will choose to drive personal cars will be free to do so. Regarding sectoral committee meetings, it will depend on the proceedings of the House, but the focus will be plenary,” Obore said.
Last week the Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, defended parliament’s decision to hold regional sittings, noting that the Speaker under Rule 7 of the Rules of Procedure has the general authority to determine where a sitting will take place.
“That is why we used to go to Serena and Kololo. I don’t remember when we had a motion to first debate. Our role will be to ensure that we bring everyone on board,” he said.
Tayebwa refuted media reports that Parliament will spend Shs5 billion for the regional sitting in Gulu City; however, he didn’t reveal the actual amount that will be spent on the regional sittings.
“When we are making statements, we should be very conscious. For example, I don’t think we are spending Shs5 billion for the proposed sitting.”
“I am excited to connect with the communities in the northern part of the country during the Gulu Sittings 2024. Years after the guns fell silent, it’s important to assess the reconstruction programs and hear the perspectives of our people across the region,” speaker Among said earlier today.
