Tayebwa threatens to cut funding for underperforming parliamentary committees

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has warned that parliamentary committees that fail to meet their reporting obligations risk losing funding, saying allocations will be tied to performance and accountability.

Addressing MPs during Tuesday afternoon’s plenary sitting, Tayebwa said several committees had failed to submit the minimum number of reports required under Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, undermining their mandate to keep the House informed on key thematic issues.

He singled out the Committee on Climate Change, which he said had not presented a single report throughout the 11th Parliament despite receiving and utilising public funds.

“This is therefore to require committees to conform to the reporting requirements and justify their existence,” Tayebwa said.

“If your committee is not working, there is no reason for giving you money,” he added.

Tayebwa said Parliament’s leadership would also engage party whips to ensure committee leadership positions are held by MPs who demonstrate commitment to their responsibilities.

He warned that committee leaders who consistently fail to present reports while continuing to receive or seek additional funding would face scrutiny and could be replaced.

“We talk to whips and request that, please, this one is not suitable to be a leader,” Tayebwa said.

He explained that Parliament established specialised standing committees to give sustained attention to thematic issues that might otherwise be overlooked by committees with broader mandates.

These include the committees on Equal Opportunities, HIV/AIDS and Related Matters, Human Rights, Climate Change, and Science and Technology. According to Tayebwa, the Rules of Procedure require these committees to report to the House at least twice a year.

The committees are intended to ensure that Parliament receives regular updates on developments, policy issues and challenges in their respective sectors. However, Tayebwa said some had failed to meet the minimum reporting requirements.

He said linking funding to performance was intended to strengthen accountability in the use of parliamentary resources and ensure committees fulfil their mandates.

Parliament has 15 standing committees, whose membership and leadership are constituted at the beginning of a new parliamentary term and reorganised after two and a half years. Each committee comprises about 30 MPs selected by party whips.

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