The Speaker of Parliament, Annet Anita Among, has cautioned legislators against absenting themselves from parliamentary activities.
She made the remarks on Wednesday, June 7th, 2023, while chairing the special sitting to open the 1st sitting of the 1st Meeting of the 3rd Session of the 11th Parliament held at Kololo Independence Grounds, Kampala.
“As we open the third session of the 11th parliament, I need to caution members on the issue of absenting from both committee meetings and plenary sittings. We are here to serve our people,” said Among.
According to Speaker Among, members of parliament are duty-bound by the constitution to serve Ugandans by effectively representing them in parliament.
She maintained that, as parliament, they will do what it takes without fear of favor to serve Ugandans.
“You are here to represent the local people who are voiceless; you must be in the house, and we shall do what it takes to serve Ugandans,” said Among.
In her speech, Speaker Among urged the Leader of Government Business and the Government Chief Whip to ensure that the 3rd Session of the 11th Parliament witnesses better achievement of the government’s legislative agenda.
According to the Speaker, only 17 out of the planned 55 bills were introduced by the government, representing barely 31%, adding that all the laws made are in line with serving the interests of Ugandans as per the constitution.
She said the State of the Nation Address is an avenue of accountability by the Chief Executive to the nation on the government’s plans versus achievements in the previous financial year.
In the second session, among the laws made by Parliament were the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, Market Act 2023, among others.
