Commentators want senior six requirement for MPs reviewed
Political commentators and analysts in Bunyoro, led by Musoke Abiola, are advocating for a review in the qualifications required to become a member of parliament.
They say senior six or it's equivalent has left seen parliament fulfilled up with incompetent people but just find their way to the house using money or the popularity.
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They claim that only a small fraction of the 529 MPs actively participate in debates, while the rest lack the capacity to contribute effectively demanding that for anyone to be a member of parliament they must have attained a degree and another qualification in law.
Musoke, a political commentator in Kagadi says there is need for Uganda to be serious on who goes to parliament noting that the level of Ugandan parliament debate is so shaming to not only Ugandans but even abroad.
"Senior six or it's equivalent can be attained by anyone. Because of those minimal qualifications many have jumped from their gardens, shops and contested and just like that they are honorable but when it comes to debate zero," Musoke said.
"My thinking is for anyone to contest as an Mp they must have studied political science and civic education but importantly law because when you look at parliament , people who have some law background debate well but those from the gardens just watch on and theirs is to say yes and clapping hands."
Peter Katusabe Junior, a political analyst in Kagadi, wonders why Uganda still has such a big parliament of people who do a lot of nothing .
"We may not be in parliament but we follow all proceedings and we know people who talk and things are done. You have the Ibrahim Ssemujju , Abdu Katuntu, the deputy speaker of Parliament and a few others. In fact only 20 MPs are active and the rest just follow," Katushabe.
Katusabe believes it's now time to start thinking of reducing the number of MPs.
"Now that our laws are done by only about 20 MPs, the rest claim to be talking in committees. We follow committee debates but they are also silent. We need to reduce the number to at most two MPs per district, a female and a male, because these huge numbers just waste our money."
