Former Vice President, Prof. Gilbert Bukenya on Tuesday became the 163rd Member of Parliament to sign a petition recalling parliament from recess to debate the Oil Sector.
Bukenya who entered the parliament precincts at about 2.30pm was immediately welcomed by Dokolo MP, Felix Okot Ogong and led straight to the MPs’ lounge, where the lead petitioners, Abdu Katuntu and Theodore Ssekikubo were addressing a press conference to announce their successful initiative.
He signed the petition at exactly 2.45pm, witnessed by Katuntu, Ssekikubo and Kitgum woman MP, Beatrice Anywar.
A visibly happy Bukenya, who is also Busiro North MP declined to talk to journalists, but told his fellow MPs that “let’s discuss it”, before leaving.
An elated Katuntu, who had just announced that he and Ssekikubo had already gathered up to 162 signatures, said Bukenya’s signature was a further evidence of the importance of this petition.
Quoting from Article 95, sub section 5 of the Constitution, Katuntu said he had fulfilled the legal demand and was now waiting for the Speaker to set the date for the debate. He said he was excited about the unity showed by all MPs across the political divide.
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The two petitioners have warned the Attorney General, Peter Nyombi, to stop being contemptuous of parliament. They say it is prudent for Nyombi to know that the same MPs he is undermining are the ones who approved him to become a minister.
Ssekikubo said that this is not a partisan petition at all but is aimed at achieving accountability and transparency in the Oil Sector.
He said the clauses of secrecy claimed by Nyombi are illegal because the Oil resource belongs to all Ugandans and should be disclosed to them or their representatives.
