MPs Plot Minority Report On Kings Bill

Two opposition MPs have written a minority report protesting the controversial Institution of Traditional and Cultural Leaders Bill, 2010, saying it is unconstitutional.

Mr Sam Njuba (Kyadondo South, FDC) told Daily Monitor yesterday that he is working with his Kampala Central counterpart, Mr Erias Lukwago to draft minority report to be handed over to Speaker Edward Ssekandi alongside the main report.

The joint parliamentary committees on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee and that of Gender have finalised the main report on the Bill to be debated by the whole House.

Sources intimated to Daily Monitor that Mr Ssekandi received the final copy on Monday.

"The law is unconstitutional. The article the government is quoting in the Bill is a wrong one. Article 246 of the Constitution is referred to where there is a dispute. Which dispute is the government intending to settle by operationalising the article?" Mr Njuba asked. "Traditional leaders just like any other person have basic human rights which are not negotiable. The freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed by the Constitution."

Critics of the Bill argue that it contradicts the Constitution and articles 20 and 21(4) which seek to protect and promote fundamental and other human rights.

Its proponents, however, say the new Bill seeks to implement Article 246 of the Constitution by way of regulating the conduct and activities of traditional and cultural leaders.


(2010-1-27/allafrica)