Parliament restricts discussion of President without substantive motion
Uganda’s Parliament on Thursday approved adding the President to the list of individuals Members of Parliament are prohibited from discussing, except through a substantive motion.
This amendment to Rule 72 of the Rules of Procedure was proposed by Rules Committee Chairperson Abdul Katuntu and supported by a simple majority of MPs.
The new rule prohibits MPs from referencing the conduct of the Office of the President, among other officials, unless it is through a substantive motion.
Specifically, the rule states that any references to the President’s conduct in amendments, questions, or remarks during debates on unrelated motions will now be considered out of order.
“The conduct of the Speaker, members, the Chief Justice, and judges of the course of the judicature shall not be raised except upon a substantive motion,” Katuntu said before adding that “It is out of order to make reference to the conduct of the president…”
However, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, opposed the rule’s introduction, arguing that Members of Parliament should not be restricted from discussing the President, as the Speaker already has the power to prevent any member from making improper accusations against the President.
