The Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee has called on government to provide Shs756.988 billion for the Electoral Commission (EC) to commence preparations for the 2026 general elections.

Their call follows delays in release of funds to effect the general elections roadmap, which according to the committee chairperson, Hon. Robina Rwakoojo, is way behind schedule.

“The committee learned that EC planned roadmap activities for the first phase were to be implemented in 2023/2024 financial year and the second phase in 2024/2025 at a total of Shs765.6268 billion but only Shs8.638 billion has been provided,” said Rwakoojo.

Rwakoojo explained that most planned activities have statutory timelines and are chronological in order that cannot be changed. 

“We recommend that additional Shs756.9888 billion be provided to enable the commission to conduct activities that have statutory timelines before the general elections take place,” she said.

She presented the report on Friday, 12 April 2024 which was debated and passed during the plenary sitting chaired by Speaker Anita Among. 

The report tackles the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs’ policy statement and budget estimates for the Financial Year 2024/2025.

In the report, MPs urged government to honour Shs11.16 billion approved in 2017 to enhance remuneration of the commission but has not been provided.

Rwakoojo further tabled a request worth Shs3.50 billion for government to pay allowances of part time teachers at the Law Development Centre (LDC), which she said has significantly affected LDC.

“LDC has been forced to suspend teaching of the Diploma in Law and Diploma in Human Rights at Mbarara and Lira campuses and also short courses at training centres in Mbale, Gulu, Soroti, Kasese and Rukungiri due inadequate funding,” she stated.

Relatedly the committee okayed Shs11.407 billion required to recruit more state attorneys to counter the case back log cognisant, that the low staffing level leads to ineffective representation of government on cases for and against the Attorney General resulting into court awards against government.

Kalungu West County MP, Hon. Joseph Ssewungu, stressed the need for government to honour the committee’s recommendation. 

“Government has created lower courts without the matching state attorneys and as a result, many Ugandans are held at Police posts for over a week because they cannot be remanded. I pray government finds it necessary to appoint more resident state attorneys,” said Ssewungu. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

The citizenry should look forward to better roads in the capital city after Parliament approved an additional Shs157 billion for road infrastructure development. 

Members of Parliament on Friday, 12 April 2024 gave a nod to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to reconstruct and maintain city roads in the 2024/2025 financial year after the lawmakers adopted a House committee recommendation for the additional funding. 

The report by the Committee on Presidential Affairs on the Ministerial Policy Statement and Budget Estimates of the entities under Presidential Affairs was adopted during plenary sitting chaired by Speaker Anita Among.

Presenting the report, committee chairperson, Hon. Jesca Ababiku, said that the committee established that KCCA requires Shs200 billion to undertake road infrastructure development and maintenance but only Shs43 billion is provided in the Medium Term Expenditure Fund ceiling. 

“The committee observes that the poor state of roads characterised by potholes and clogged drains results into discomfort for motorists, increased travel time, breakdown of vehicles and motorcycles and accidents,” the report read in part. 

The committee observed that whilst KCCA is projected to receive external financing of Shs549 billion, this intervention is projected to reconstruct and upgrade only 116 kilometres of the road network in Kampala while over 1,500 kilometres remain in a poor state. 

“The committee recommends that additional annual provision of Shs157 billion be availed to enable KCCA cope with the current roads maintenance demands and deal with the problem of rampant pot holes on the city roads,” the report stated.

Hon. Muhammad Nsereko, Kampala Central Division Member of Parliament, said that Kampala is the face of the nation and yet the road infrastructure is dilapidated while the streets are littered with garbage. 

“I request colleagues that since we are anticipating an increase in fuel levy and 50 percent comes from Kampala Metropolitan, let us make the City look good, we will attract more tourists and tax payers will be able to see tangible results and motivated to pay taxes,” said Nsereko. 

Furthermore, Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is expected to transition into commercialisation after the legislators approved a recommendation for an additional Shs134 billion for operationalisation of the Jinja- based vehicle plant. 

According to the committee’s report, it was established that KMC requires Shs166.64 billion to operationalise the plant but only Shs32.5 billion is provided for. 

“Kiira Motors Corporation is one of our best projects, they have assembled and facilitated production of 21 buses and to facilitate them to transit to commercialisation, we are requesting for Shs134 billion,” said Ababiku. 

The funding gap, Ababiku said, will cater for support construction, tooling and furnishing the Kiira 4S master store, parts and materials for plant commissioning, human capital development and operating expenditure. 

KMC is a government enterprise established to champion the development of the domestic automotive value chain for job and wealth creation. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

The Eritrean Naval Force’s sports competition, which has been ongoing for the past three months, concluded with enthusiasm on 13 April. The competition featured 12 different sports and included participation from eight male teams and five female teams.

The closing ceremony was attended by Col. Melake Teklemariam, Chief of Staff of Eritrea’s Naval Force, various Army Commanders, government officials, and other invited guests.

Lt. Col. Teame Tiku’e, Head of Promotion and Information Staff of the Naval Force, emphasized that the annual sports competition aims to develop youth who are physically and mentally robust. He praised the contributors for their roles in the successful execution of the event.

The finale was marked by cultural and artistic performances, and awards were presented to the winners of the various sports categories.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Monday, 15 April 2024, host His Majesty King Mswati III of the Kingdom of eSwatini for a working visit at Mahlamba Ndlopfu, the President’s Official Residence in Pretoria.

The visit follows a courtesy visit by President Cyril Ramaphosa to His Majesty King Mswati III in Lozitha, eSwatini on Wednesday, 03 April 2024.

South Africa and eSwatini share strong historical bonds as well as mutually beneficial political and trade ties.

Official media will deliver to all media platforms pictures and video footage.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.