The current parliament may not pass the marriage and divorce bill within because of the limited time to end of the term of the 8th parliament. Both the Attorney General’s Chambers and parliamentary authorities say the bill may not be adequately handled within the remaining time.
It also emerging that some clauses in the Marriage and Divorce bill 2009 are likely to contravene sections of the constitution if the bill passes in its current form. Wilfred Niwagaba, Ndorwa East MP, says that the bill also contains clauses that are already provided for in other laws.
Niwagaba says that the inclusion of such clauses would make it difficult to enforce the law. Over the weekend, the legal affairs Committee had a retreat following concerns by Uganda Joint Christian council.
Stephan Tashobya, the Committee Chairperson says there are still unresolved issues of constitutional nature which the Attorney General has to consider.
/// Cue In “We had a retreat over the weekend….,.
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Today, Attorney General Khiddu Makubuya and acting Solicitor General, Harriet Lwabi appeared before the Committee to address concerns of UJCC.
Makubuya said he needed more time to consult with cabinet. He later told URN that the bill could be shelved for the next parliament.
// Cue in “Let us see if we can ….
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Parliament Speaker, Edward Kiwanuka Sekandi in an interview admitted that Parliament may be limited by time for the bill to be considered. He says that parliament needs much more time given the controversies around the bill.
Sekandi says the bill has been resisted because women activists marketed it as a women issue forcing their male counterpants to resist the bill.
// Cue in “Women thought it was their bill….
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The bill is intended to reform and consolidate laws relating to marriage, separation and divorce. It also seeks to provide for recognized marriages in Uganda.
