The 11th Parliament has passed the Administration of Parliament (Amendment) bill, 2021 which among others renamed the “Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga Institute of Parliamentary Studies (RAKIPS) to its earlier name of the “Institute of Parliamentary Studies”.
The bill was passed on Tuesday in a sitting presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Anita Among which went as her maiden legislation.
The bill was moved by Kilak North Member of Parliament, Anthony Akol and was seconded by Tororo Woman Member of Parliament, Sarah Opendi.
“The object of the Bill is to amend the Administration of Parliament Act, Cap 257 to include the Deputy Speaker as a member of the Parliamentary Commission; to mandate the Parliamentary Commission to train members of Parliament, Staff of Parliament and local government councils,” Akol said.
The Legislator noted that the bill as well thought to align the Act, 2003 to repeal the Institute of Parliamentary Studies Act, 2020 and for other related matters.
Last year while chairing the house, the former Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga presided over the passing of the bill that thought to among others rename the Institute of Parliamentary Studies after her a decision that has now been over turned by the 11th Parliament.
The amendments then had further excluded the Deputy Speaker from sitting on the Parliamentary Commission which according to Akol was erroneous in light of Article 82 of the Constitution and further hinders the Commission from effectively carrying out its mandate, especially where the Speaker is unavailable.
The Rebecca Kadaga Institute of Parliamentary Studies was created as a semi-autonomous entity that would independently handle its activities as well as control its finances.
“The Bill seeks to reduce the expenditure of the Parliamentary Commission in order to comply with Government policy of rationalizing government agencies by empowering the Parliamentary Commission to take over the functions currently performed by the Institute of Parliamentary Studies in order to efficiently and effectively provide training services to Members of Parliament and Staff of the Parliamentary Commission in a cost effective manner,” Akol noted.
During the debate, the seconder of the bill, Sarah Opendi called for suspension of the rules arguing that the contents in the bill are clear and therefore don’t need further scrutiny by a Parliament committee.
The House concurred with Opendi prompting Deputy Speaker to suspend the rules, allowing for the passing of the bill.
The new legislation will now be forwarded to President Museveni for assent.