Parliament has extended the sittings to be held during the inaugural regional Parliament by one day, a decision that will mean that instead of the two days that had initially been planned, the sittings will stretch for three days at Boma Grounds in Gulu City.
The revelation was made by Anthony Akol (Kilak North), during a media interview at Parliament On Monday, following a meeting held between Members of Parliament from the greater north and the Speaker, where the technical staff at Parliament were providing an update on the preparedness for the upcoming House sitting in Gulu.
“Today in the meeting with the Speaker of Parliament, the days were extended. Instead of going for two days, Parliament will now sit on 28th, 29th and 30th August for three days. Apart from that, we also received communication from the technical staff and the Speaker that the different Committees of Parliament; Education, Health, Agriculture, Physical Infrastructure have gone on ground to make sure they to the community, collect pertinent issues that will be discussed by Parliament,” said Akol.
Akol added that the meeting agreed to have more opportunity to be given to MPs from the Northern region during the three day session and as part of Parliament’s Corporate Social Responsibility, the team agreed to have Kaunda Stadium fenced by Parliament.
“We have also agreed that more time should be given to issues of Northern Uganda because similar sitting will happen in Western, Central and Eastern Uganda. So more opportunities will be given to the MPs from Northern Uganda. We are also happy as MPs of Northern Uganda we requested that the Kaunda Grounds where Parliament will sit should be fenced which Parliament has accepted under Corporate Social Responsibility that they will fence the Boma Ground in Gulu and Boma Grounds if fenced will forever remain in the memory of the citizens in Gulu,” said Akol.
Despite criticism that has surrounded Parliament’s decision to hold regional parliament, with many critiques citing the additional cost to the taxpayers, Akol defended the decision to host the regional Parlaiment in Uganda, saying the region has suffered so much, although he fell short of explaining how the regional Parliament will alleviate the lives of the people from the region.
Akol said, “The West Nile, Acholi, Lango and Karamoja (WALK) region is a sub-region that has suffered in this country and the most poorest sub-region in Uganda, contributing to poverty in the country. So the first sitting of Parliament, taking Parliament to the people will happen in Gulu.”
Ojara Mapenduzi (Bardege-Layibi Division) defended the hosting of the regional parliament, saying the move will take Parliament closer to the people.
He said, “This is going to be a very historical event and I think this is a very significant step towards taking Parliament closer to the citizens. When Parliament decides to go and conduct business to other parts of the country, it is a clear demonstration that this is a people centered Parliament, not just merely by words, but also by action and as the people of Northern Uganda, we very much welcome this development and we are doing everything possible to prepare for this momentous event.”
Speaker Among used her Twitter handle to thank the technical team for the support accorded to the process, saying that a number of committees will be in the region ahead of the sittings to identify and address the concerns of our people.