Table of contents
DECLARATION
APPROVAL BY SUPERVISOR iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Table of contents
ABSTRACT ix
CHAPTER ONE i
Introduction to the study 1
1.1 Introduction i
1.2 Background of the problem 4
1.3 Statement of the problem 4
1.4 General Objective of the study 5
1 .5 Research questions 5
1.6 Specific Objectives 6
.7 Scope of the study 6
1.8 Hypothesis 6
1.9 Significance of the study 7
1.9 Methodology 7
1.10 Literature Review 7
1.11 Research Structure 10
CHAPTER TWO 12
THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA AND THE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS 12
2. 1 Introduction 1 2
2.2 Location of parliament of Uganda 13 2.3 Composition of Parliament .13
2.4 Departments of parliament 14
2.4.1 Clerk to parliament 14
2.5 Personnel Parliament 16
2.5.1 The Office of the Speaker 16
2.5.2 Leader of Government Business 16
2.5.4 The Party Whips 18
2.4.5 Members of parliament (Front and Back Benches) 19
2.6 Duties of members of parliament 19
2.7 Legislative Role of Parliament 21
2.8 Legislative Process 22
2.8.1 The Law making process 23
2.8,2 Bills First Reading 24
2.8.3 Second reading 25
2.8.4 Bills committee stage 26
2.8.5 Third reading 26
2.8.6 Tracking the changes 27
2.8.7 Private Members Bills 27
2.9 An international perspective 29
2.9.1 Australia 29
2.9.2 Canada 30
2.9.3 India 31
2.10 Conclusion 31
CI-IAPTER THREE 32
PARLIAMENTARY SOVEREIGNTY 32
vii
3.1 Introduction .32
3.2 Independence of parliament 33
3.2.1 Parliamentary privilege 33
3.2.2 Functional Independence 35
3.2.3 Disciplinary Powers of the Speaker 36
3.2.4 Institutional independence 36
3.2.5 Financial Independence 37
3.3 Circumstances under which independence of parliament has been violated 37
3.4 Conclusion 42
CHAPTER FOUR 43
RESAERCH FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS 43
4.1 Introduction 43
4.2 Incidences of executive influence on the legislature 44
4.3 Conclusion 47
CHAPTER FIVE 49
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 49
5.1 Introduction 49
5.2 Recommendations 49
5.3 Conclusion 52
BIBLIOGRAPHY 53
Abstract
This study An examination of the independence of the Parliament of Uganda in implementing its legislative role since 1995 was carried out with specific aims of establishing the role of parliament, duties of members of parliament, incidences where parliamentary independence has been infringed and the relationship between parliament and other organs of government through analysis of the lacunae in the law, in order to establish possible solutions. To comprehend this, the study reviewed literature from various scholars on specific aims as well as laws from different countries that regulate parliamentary business. This was done through analysis of both primary and secondary sources of information. The study indicated that the independence of the Ugandan parliament has continuously been under threat most especially from the executive. The study concluded that parliament represents the whole public and while enacting laws it should not act within the interests on one individual. The study recommended that there should be a reform in the law, members of parliament should not be appointed to the cabinet and parliamentary business should be brought closer to the people.
