The
Assembly has granted leave to two Members to introduce Private Members’
Bills pursuant to article 59(1) of the Treaty and Rule 64 of the Rules
of Procedure.
Hon
Margaret Nantongo Zziwa will move the EAC Whistleblowers Protection
Bill, 2015 while Hon Frederic Ngenzebuhoro has been granted permission
to introduce the
EAC Retirement Benefits for Specified Heads of Organs Bill, 2015.
The
object of the Whistleblowers Protection Bill, 2015, is to create an
enabling environment for both the Partner States’ citizens and
non-citizens to disclose
freely, information on corrupt or improper conduct both in the public
and private sectors in the Community.
The
Bill is premised on Article 6 of the Treaty in which Partner States
undertook to promote the principles of good governance including
adherence to the principles
of democracy, the rule of law, accountability, transparency, social
justice and equal opportunities among others.
It hopes to provide for the protection from victimization of whistleblowers as well as procedures for making disclosures.
In
her justification, Hon Zziwa decried the increasing reports of graft,
corruption and public plunder of resources across board in the EAC
region. The recent
Papal visit according to Hon Zziwa was in addition to seeking
forgiveness, also an opportune moment to reflect on a number of issues.
“You
will recall the Papal decried tribalism, sectarianism which has caused
pain in Africa and called for forgiveness and love. He further urged
leaders
to desist from corruption likening it to the licking of sugar”, the legislator said.
“Corruption and graft has eaten on to the very fabric of our society and we must find ways out of the vice”, Hon Zziwa said, adding that a number of stakeholders
including Auditor Generals had shown support for the envisaged Bill.
The Bill will enhance accountability, social justice and ultimately, the rule of law.
Hon Susan Nakawuki said it was time to put up a spirited fight to tame corruption.
“To some extent even we as legislators sometimes receive anonymous
letters from people who have information on matters under
investigation. Such people are whistleblowers in their own rights and
need to be protected. What is needed is a framework to protect
them”, she said.
Hon
Martin Ngoga said though the envisage Bill is self-sustaining, it was
part and parcel of other bigger pieces of legislation that should be
introduced in
future to comprehensively tackle corruption.
A
second Bill that shall be introduced to the House by Hon Frederic
Ngenzebuhoro is entitled The East African Community Retirement Benefits
for Specified Heads
of Organs Bill, 2015.
The
Bill seeks to make provision for retirement benefits for specified
leaders who have honourably served and completed their terms on the
service of the Community.
It
specifically provides retirement benefits for the former President of
the East African Court of Justice, the former Speaker of the East
African Legislative
Assembly and the former Secretary General of the East African
Community.
The mover said that the Heads of Organs of the Community are an embodiment of the Integration process
“EAC should take care of their former leaders, since even in retirement, they are an embodiment of the EAC and a resource,” Hon Ngenzebuhoro said.
The Bill is seconded by Hon Dora Byamukama who says the practice of giving retirement benefits is not new to the Community.
“We are adopting best practices from some of the Partner States such as Uganda,”
Hon Byamukama said.
It
is from this House that we are also getting eminent persons who
continue to be champions of integration and make a pool of resource for
the Community”
she added.
 and Hon Susan Nakawuki Hon Frederic Ngenzebuho...){kind=link}
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