The shadow Cabinet, led by Opposition Leader Joel Ssenyonyi, has decided not to attend the upcoming regional sittings, citing unnecessary costs.
Addressing the media this morning in Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition says that it is not justifiable to spend nearly 5 billion shillings on only one sitting of parliament.
‘As shadow cabinet we have elected that its problematic for we in the opposition to be a part of such an arrangement because we have not been brought on board and this expenditure of 5 billion shillings is difficult to explain to the people we lead. It is total wastage,’ says Ssenyonyi.
“That is why you hear some sections of the public saying that maybe this is another ploy to account for money that is being stolen. Our (Opposition) participation is difficult to justify. We have Committees of Parliament and these Committees go and work on behalf of Parliament, why don’t we empower committees?
Many times, committees complain that they aren’t able to go out to the field why don’t we empower committees as opposed to doing it this way,” notes Ssenyonyi.
The inaugural Northern regional sitting will take place on August 29 and 30 at Kaunda Playgrounds in Gulu City’s Bardege-Layibi Division.
Other sittings are expected to take place in Mbarara, Masaka, and Mbale
Recently Anthony Akol (Kilak North), during a media interview at Parliament, following a meeting held between Members of Parliament from the greater north and the Speaker, on the preparedness for the upcoming House sitting in Gulu remarked that the region has suffered so much.
This as he fell short of explaining how the regional Parliament will alleviate the lives of the people from the region.
Despite criticism that has surrounded Parliament’s decision to hold regional parliament, many critiques cite the additional cost to the taxpayers.
Ojara Mapenduzi (Bardege-Layibi Division) defends the hosting of the regional parliament, saying the move will take Parliament closer to the people.
“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,” he says.
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