The Deputy Speaker, Anita Among has given chairpersons of various committees until February 10,2022 to present Bills that were referred to their respective committees. Among the Bills yet to be presented on the floor of parliament include; the Markets Bill, 2021 Mineral and Mining Bill, 2021, Succession (Amendment) Bill, 2021, Supplementary Appropriation Bill No. 2, […]
The Deputy Speaker, Anita Among has given chairpersons of various committees until February 10,2022 to present Bills that were referred to their respective committees.
Among the Bills yet to be presented on the floor of parliament include; the Markets Bill, 2021 Mineral and Mining Bill, 2021, Succession (Amendment) Bill, 2021, Supplementary Appropriation Bill No. 2, 2021 and Supplementary Appropriation Bill No.3. The others are, Physical Planners Registration Bill, 2021 and Fisheries and Aquaculture Bill, 2021.
The Bills are before the Public service local government, Environment and natural resources,Legal and parliamentary affairs, Committee of budget ,Committee of Infrastructure and Committee of Agriculture respectively.
Among said that Rule 129 (2) of Rules of Procedure requires committees to report back on Bills referred to them within 45 days.
“Most of the Bills were sent back to the committees and have not been brought back. Of the nine, only two are still within 45 days. The seven have expired and I expect them to be brought to the House as per the Rules of Procedure,” she said.
She added that the Rules of Procedure allow the chairpersons to ask for extension, if they fail to meet the legal timeframe, adding that action can be taken against chairpersons who fail to meet the deadline.
“The rules also stipulate that if you do not bring the reports within the 45 days, the House can go ahead and have the Bills read for the second time,” she said.
The Minister for Information and Communication Technology, Hon Chris Baryomunsi said that there is no room for negotiating the issue of delayed Bills because the Rules of Procedure are clear on timelines.
“On our side, we are going to meet the committee chairpersons who belong to the ruling party and we shall guide appropriately,” Baryomunsi said.
Compiled by Zainab Ali
