By Daniel Mugisha
Are you aware that the COVID-19 Pandemic hit during the budget processing period and Parliament, which is exclusively mandated to allocate, also got affected like other institutions?
Despite the situation, the nation has to function and budget is absolutely essential. Thanks to the doting commitment of Speaker Rebecca Kadaga; the Legislature didn’t abandon its responsibility but swiftly adopted Virtual Parliament.
MPs can now electronically carry out their legislative duties from home including participating in plenary debates.
The Speaker superintends the technical team in establishing the Virtual Parliament and also rallied her loyal members to embrace the new technology to be able to work from home. As a custodian of the Rules and passionate disciple of legitimacy, she instructed the Rules Committee to commence the process to amend the Rules of Procedure to accommodate Virtual Parliament.
The determined Kadaga is never cowed by any situation and her tenacity has once again saved the House from going into indefinite adjournment forsaking the significant duty of budget processing. Irrespective of the situation, 2020/2021 shall become effective by July 1st 2020. As constitutionally required, Proposed Annual Budget, Policy Statements have already been presented.
Sectoral Committee reports consideration and harmonization are to be concluded by the Budget committee by April 30th.
Budget Committee Report should be presented by May 15th; estimates and expenditure considered and approved by the Supply Committed by May 20th and approval of the Annual Budget, Work Plans and Appropriation Bills by May 31st.
Parliaments of Albania, Brazil, Columbia, The Maldives, UK and Kenya are also planning to follow suit. We appreciate Rt. Hon. Kadaga for pioneering Virtual Parliament and keeping the House functional. Much love!!!