In mid-November, parliament put out newspaper adverts inviting members of the general public to present their views on two bills: the Sexual Offences Bill, 2024 and the Marriage Bill, 2024.
In addition, the house called for views on a subject before the probe into the performance of Uganda Post Limited. When this happens, similar adverts will also appear in other media including on parliament’s social media forums.
This is in line with the House practice in the consideration and eventual passing of bills, as well as consideration of any other business before it. The two bills had their first reading on the floor of the House and were referred to different committees for consideration, before reporting back with observations, recommendations and proposed amendments.
This is an important stage of consideration of a proposed law in many ways, more so for the public or the non-members of parliament. This committee is the window through which the public can formally make their contribution to law-making.
The Marriage Bill seeks to repeal and consolidate the legal framework governing marriage in Uganda and to provide for recognized marriages, registration of marriage, marital rights and obligations in the country.
It provides six types of marriages of Christian; civil; customary; Hindu; Islamic; and Baha’i marriages as the recognized marriages in Uganda. The Sexual Offenses Bill, 2024, a privately introduced Bill moved by Anna Adeke Ebaju, seeks to enact a specific law on sexual offences for the effectual prevention of sexual violence; to enhance punishment of sexual offenders; to provide for the protection of victims during trial of sexual offences; to provide for extraterritorial application of the law; to repeal some provisions of the Penal Code Act, and for other related matters.
On October 14, 2024, acting on a motion, parliament established an adhoc committee to review the performance of Uganda Posts Limited. This followed debate and passing
of a report of the Public Accounts Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), on the report of the Auditor-General on the financial statements of the entity for the financial year ended June 30, 2023.
The committee observed and presented wide-ranging irregularities in the running of the entity. These included: planned procurement worth over Shs 40 billion not undertaken
by the end of the financial year, and the procurements being above the entity’s budget of just over Shs 17 billion; delays and failure to promptly pay staff salaries and wages, which the committee said will lead to a demotivated workforce and high staff turnover.
Indeed, the adhoc committee has already commenced its work that included looking into matters of high debt write-offs, ineffective debt recovery procedures and non-payment of statutory obligations among other issues.
Parliament will put out calls for public participation almost every few weeks. The calls ordinarily will be carried in widely circulating or viewed or listened-to media.
Non-legislators will be invited to give their views about business before committees. These could be experts in the field, researchers, firms or entities involved in the sector touched by
the bill or business, students or even individuals with knowledge or interest in the subject.
Look at the Domestic Relations Bill, and the wide range of areas it seeks to regulate. This is a subject and proposal that has been in parliament for over 60 years, and has not been resolved. The bill has been in and out of parliament several times, and keeps getting back due to the interests, persons, or groups it touches.
All these can forward their views or appear in person before the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. By the way, even members of parliament or government officials
are not barred from appearing before these committees.
The Administration of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which, among others, sought to change the method of election of the leader of the opposition in the House, was one of the most recent cases.
However, due to time and space, and probably for those that choose not to, some of these could prepare and submit written memorandums on the business, without appearing in person. But even those who appear will reduce their submissions into writing.
For instance during the consideration of the National Teachers Bill, 2024, which sought to regulate the teaching profession and registration and disciplining of teachers, the House committee invited 22 stakeholders and received memoranda from more than 20 entities, including the ministry of Education; UNEB, NCDC, teachers groupings and unions.
Further, the committee visited Ghana and interacted with teachers’ groupings there.
This is meant for the final law or position(s) to reflect views of as many people as possible on top of being based on proper research and correct information.
Although this is the best stage for the public to formally present their views, members of the public can also talk to and give their views about bills or business in parliament to their representatives when a bill returns for the second reading, debate and eventual passing.
This may not be very formal and may not be on record, but legislators will still find this information useful. It could be newly found information or evidence relevant in the consideration or conclusion of business.
When you see adverts or calls like those that appeared in the media, it should prompt you to take a step to give your views on the bill or subject, only one way through which you can make your voice heard.
The writer works at the Parliament of Uganda
