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In a bold move aimed at reinforcing legislators’ commitment to legislative duties and value for tax payers’ money, Speaker of the Parliament of Uganda, Anita Among has hinted on restricting foreign travels for legislators who have made consistently dodged participating in plenary sessions of Parliament.
While presiding over the plenary sitting of November 22, 2023, Among said that she has not received any formal request for leave of absence from most of the MPs who have made absconding habitual, and urged them to
write to her office individually, seeking permission to be out of parliament.
‘’Whereas I am cognizant of the continued absence of some Members of this House, I am yet to receive a formal request from them for leave of absence. I therefore with to guide as follows, ‘’she said.
Among added that all members who are absent from the House without authorization should stay away from all Parliamentary activity, including foreign benchmarking trips and committees.
‘’An absentee Member will not be eligible for any Parliamentary Activity, including but not limited to Meetings, trips, conferences and the forthcoming East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games,’’ notes Among
This move was welcomed by a section of Ugandans who took to social media to commended Among for the move, which they say will save a lot of tax payers’ money.
Ms Among also noted, with concern, the increasing number of members of parliament who are currently boycotting sittings, but come to clock in as attendees.
‘’It has come to my attention that some Members clock in and do not enter the Chamber. They only do this for purposes of conformity without intention to actually represent their electorate in this House. I am going to publish the Clock in Records of all Members so as to expose the culprits,’’ She added.
Plenary attendance has been emphasized by both the Speaker and her Deputy Thomas Tayebwa, urging legislators to address matters affecting the people that entrusted them with the power to represent them in the August House.