Put national interests before party interests-Rwanda MPs tell their Ugandan counterparts

Rwandan legislators have advised their counterparts in Uganda to put national interests before those of their political parties if they are to stamp out the rampant corruption in the country. 

Addressing a delegation of Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) and the Forum for Women in Democracy, (FOWODE), at Parliament yesterday, the legislators also suggested that Uganda should adopt a strict doctrine of separation of powers by leaving Parliament to function independent of the executive.

‘’For us here we do not put our parties first before the people’s interests because we are answerable to them. It is Rwanda first before self. If ministers make mistakes, we take immediate collective action and we do not compromise on this. “In whatever we do we make sure there is value for money and when it comes to action, both the ruling party MPs and opposition MPs move in unison,” said the deputy chairperson for the Rwanda Budget and Patrimony committee, Mr Mukama Abbas.

He explained that whereas it is the ministry of Finance which is at the centre of the budgeting process, the legislators ensure there are checks and balances to ensure that the tax payers’ money is put to proper use and not swindled.

He was responding to a question paused by the Ugandan legislator representing the women of Ibanda District, Ms Margaret Kiboijana who demanded to know whether party positions are binding in their Parliament.

The team led by the State Minister for Finance, Fred Omach is in Rwanda to draw lessons on Rwanda’s gender responsive budgeting and equity process and how it has managed to implement a number of reforms aimed at promoting gender equality and transparency and accountability.

Ms Connie Sekamana,a member of the Budget committee said Uganda is under a multi-party system but decisions are taken regardless of one’s party. ‘’What ruling party must deliver to the people? What is in the manifesto is not hearsay and I don’t care whether you are a minister and we come from the same party. I will oppose you if what you are doing is contrary to what you are supposed to do. Value for money is what matters and we cannot just support you for the sake of it,” Ms Sekamana said. “That business of winner takes it all is impossible here in Rwanda. Rwanda comes first regardless of where you come from. Ours is collective responsibility not the party at the fore,” she said.

Another MP on the committee said, Faith Mukakalisa it is the role of Parliament to hold the executive responsible since they are answerable to the people of Rwanda.“Here when you are a minister, you can never be a Member of Parliament and that is why our controls are strong,” Ms Mukakalisa said.

Ms Sekamana said; “We do not accept jeorpadising and compromising policies and powers. You resign immediately as MP if you are appointed a minister because then parliament can independently check on the executive excesses.”

“But government has no will to fight corruption and no wonder they use the NRM party to protect corrupt ministers,” Agago County woman MP, Ms Judith Franca said.

There has been ongoing debate in the country on whether an MP must resign his or her position once appointed minister. Also Members of the NRM Caucus take party positions on issues of national importance before they are brought to parliament for discussion and this has led to the formation of a group of independent minded MPs who usually come out to oppose the infamous party positions taken on the floor of the House.

MPs said they would convince the government to tow the Rwanda line. 

By Mercy Nalugo, Daily monitor
mnalugo@ug.nationmedia.com
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1285222/-/bg6m8hz/-/index.html