Kampala – The Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua has asked the ruling party National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has asked Members of Parliament from the party interested in serving as commissioners, chairpersons, deputies chairpersons of standing committees of Parliament to submit their expression of interest to serve in those positions.
It should be remembered that the term of office of Parliament commissioners and leadership of standing committees of parliament is two and half years and is set to expire in December 2023.
Obua added that as part of the internal policies of the NRM, interested Members of Parliament are requested or required to submit their expression of interest in any of the positions by 15th November this year.
He further explained that after the Members of Parliament have expressed interest, the names will be submitted to the party’s central executive committee (CEC).
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Article 87A of the Constitution establishes the Parliamentary Commission. Section 2 (2) of the Administration of Parliament Act provides for the composition of the Commission to include: Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Leader of Government Business, Leader of the Opposition, the Minister responsible for Finance and four Commissioners (Backbench Members of Parliament). The Clerk to Parliament is Secretary to the Commission.
The Commissioners of the Eleventh Parliament as at 13 July 2021 include:
- The Rt. Hon. Speaker, Anita Annet Among (MP) – Chairperson
- The Rt. Hon. Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa (MP) – Member
- The Rt. Hon. Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business, Robinah Nabbanja (MP) – Member
- The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga (MP) – Member
- The Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Matia Kasaija (MP) – Member
- Hon. Solomon Silwany (MP) – Backbench Member
- Hon. Esther Afoyochan (MP) – Backbench Member
- Hon. Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira (MP) – Backbench Member
- The Clerk to Parliament/Secretary, Hon. Adolf Mwesige Kasaija
Note: The position of the Fourth Backbench Commissioner is vacant
The functions of the Parliamentary Commission among others is to appoint, promote and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding public office in Parliament.
- To review the terms and conditions of service, standing orders, training and qualifications of persons holding office in Parliament.
- To provide security staff to maintain proper security for the Members of Parliament and facilities within the precincts of Parliament.
- To provide a Parliamentary reporting service.
- To provide such other staff and facilities as are required to ensure the efficient functioning of Parliament.
- To cause to be prepared in each financial year estimates of revenues and expenditure for Parliament for the next financial year.
- To make recommendations to Parliament on or, with the approval of Parliament, determine the allowances payable and privileges available to the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Members of Parliament; and
- To do such other things as may be necessary for the well-being of the Members and Staff of Parliament.
