Uganda’s Parliament Strategic Plan 2025-2030 reveals poor committee performance in the 11th Parliament, with average attendance of just 15 MPs per sitting and insufficient time for thorough scrutiny of bills and reports. Factors like absenteeism, limited resources, party conflicts, and low public input hindered effective oversight.
Uganda’s parliamentary committees in the 11th Parliament struggled with low performance ratings, as outlined in the Parliament Strategic Plan 2025-2030. These bodies handle most House business, including budget reviews, investigations, and bill scrutiny, yet faced significant hurdles.
Attendance was alarmingly low, averaging 15 MPs per committee sitting in FY2022/23, down from 16 in previous years. This led to delays in report approvals and wasted resources, with plans for automated tracking systems unimplemented due to funding shortages.
On March 12, Speaker Anita Among withdrew six incomplete bills, such as the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill and Sexual Offences Bill, to clear the order paper before transitioning to the 12th Parliament. Many had lingered in committees beyond the 45-day scrutiny rule.
The plan highlighted limited time for reviewing constitutional reports, capacity gaps in technical expertise for areas like AI and oil, and delays in information from ministries. Low public participation persisted despite media invitations for stakeholder input.
Party disputes exacerbated issues, with Opposition-led committees hit hardest. NUP’s attempt to replace Government Assurance Committee leaders failed, and PAC work stalled after its chair defected to NRM. COSASE halted a Nakivubo probe after Speaker reassignment.
Analyst Timothy Chemonges of CEPA praised some investigative successes and cross-party work on health and youth issues but criticized curtailed debates on matters like Uganda Airlines, urging stronger independence from executive influence and better citizen engagement.
Source: Daily Monitor
