Uganda: Rules on election of commissioners amended
Parliament has revised its procedural rules to prescribe the election of four backbench commissioners to reduce the current selection system for the parties.
The House Rules, Privileges and Discipline Committee reviewed the current rules and provided recommended amendments, saying “This will make members of Congress more elected to the commissioner, thus reducing the impact of political parties in the selection process.”
Chairman of the Rules Committee Hon. Abdu Katuntu said members of Congress should be able to choose their representatives rather than have party leaders appoint them.
“When we proposed this process, members had a say in choosing the backseaters of the representatives because executives were a good fit,” he said.
These amendments were considered and approved at the plenary meeting on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Currently, the backstage commissioner is appointed based on a three-to-one ratio, allocated to three positions in the ruling party, and the other is assigned to the opposition.
The new rules introduce a structured process to the election commissioner. The Secretary’s visit to Parliament will notify Members of Parliament within two days of the first meeting of the new Parliament or at least 14 days before the end of the current Commissioner’s term. Under the change, the government will nominate six candidates, while the opposition will nominate three candidates, all of which will be submitted to Parliament for a vote.
These changes have sparked debate, and some MPs believe they may be unfair.
Kampala Central Member, Honor. Mohammed Nsereko criticized the move, saying: “If we talk about the committee, let us leave it to everyone, provide everyone with qualifications to be elected as the committee because we all come Here it represents the people.”
He added: “We should not deprive some people of the rights in this house in the name of party autocracy that has raised the house.”
Butambala County Representative, Hon. Muwanga Kivumbi also put forward the assumption that the majority of parliament will always be stable. “We can get an unresolved parliament, and literally the difference between the government and the opposition is too slim, even if it’s fifty, you’ll get six people?” he said.
Attorney General. Jackson Kafuzi defended these changes, believing that the rules ensure that the majority gain more representation. “The rules, together with the law, set more quantities to increase the amount of commissions and for simple reasons for budget and benefits,” he said.
Opposition leader, honor. Joel Ssenyonyi suggested that both parties nominate more candidates instead of limiting them to six. “Let the government side do the same thing as the opposition because when you say you have to vote, it deprives the party these people of trying to represent,” he said.
He also suggested that both parties choose their own representatives, rather than the entire house voted against them.
In addition, four new committees were formed, including the subsidiary legislative committee. The three existing departmental committees are divided into two; the Natural Resources Committee is divided into water, environment, energy, minerals and oil. The Physical Infrastructure Committee is divided into engineering and transportation, land, housing and urban development; the Trade, Tourism and Industry Committee is also divided into two.
Issued by Apo Group on behalf of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
