The Vice Chairperson Parliament’s Rules, Discipline and Privileges Committee, Fr. Charles Onen has said Hon Francis Zaake of Mityana Municipality gave them work to and if it was not his misbehaviour, they would be idle.
“I just thank him (Zaake) for giving us work. Hadn’t it been him, the Committee would have been so dull. By giving us work, actually he has made us busy. He has made MPs to learn the geography of Rules and how to handle misconduct of MPs and how to investigate MPs who have misbehaved and also give recommendations. I think this Committee of Rules has been the most active, but we have also been challenged to discipline your own brother or MP,” said Onen.
In the same spirit, Onen thanked the outgoing Leader of Opposition, Hon Mathias Mpuuga, for his exemplary leadership.
Onen said Mpuuga demonstrated a high level of maturity and brilliancy, which could make it hard for his successor, Hon Joel Ssenyonyi to emulate.
The Gulu East MP made the remarks in response to questions from journalists on his assessment of the discipline of MPs so far in the 11th Parliament.
He regrets the recent boycott of the Opposition MPs from plenary sittings, saying had the Opposition attended the sittings on the day of the Petroleum Supplies Amendment Bill was considered, perhaps they would have saved Uganda from passing such a monopolistic law.
“The Opposition MPs were out for nearly a month and there were important bills like the petroleum Supplies Amendment Bill and some bills which were passed when they weren’t there. I know the ruling party can take advantage of the absentia of those with different views to pass bills which will suit their interests and I believe that if the Opposition were in the House, that bill would have taken a different route. And you recall that deal was given to only Uganda National Oil Company to be the monopoly of the suppliers of petroleum products in this country, giving an advantage that they can easily be compromised or it will be difficult for other competitive companies to come in,” said Onen.
Onen added that; “There are a lot of demands from the general public and most MPs are doing what Government should be doing. MPs are being invited for birthdays and funerals, even opening baby showers, MPs are being invited. All these leave MPs with so many demands and you find that at the end of the day, the MP goes to borrow money from financial institutions,”.
