PHOTO: Rt. Hon. Anita Among presiding over today’s Parliament
NEWS EDITOR MEDIA
SPEAKER of Parliament Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among this afternoon assured the country that the report of the committee on trade, Tourism and industries on the controversial coffee deal between the Government and the Uganda Vinci Coffee company Limited (UVCC) will be debated without failure.
This comes a few days after Rubaga North MP Abubaker Kawalya met Namirembe Diocese Bishop Rt. Rev. Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira and called upon Church of Uganda to join fight against, ‘The unpopular coffee deal’.
Speaking to the Anglicans who filled St. Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe to capacity, without mincing words, Hon. Kawalya said, “Who ever wants to give our coffee to a foreigner is joking. We will not allow that to happen. I call upon all of you to support the fight to save our coffee. Government signed a bad agreement, join us to fight it.”
Kawalya, a former Speaker of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), in the presence of Buganda Lukiiko Speaker Owek. Patrick Luwaga Mugumbule told the congregation that Buganda Kingdom’s Premier Charles Peter Mayiga has done a commendable job in rallying Kabaka’s subjects to plant more coffee through ‘Emmwanyi Terimba’ campaign, wondering how can government sign such an agreement without consulting Katikkiro.
Kawalya said, “You all know how our Katikkiro has been traversing the whole Kingdom calling upon Kabaka’s subjects to plant more coffee, then next day, government without consulting Owek. Mayiga, signs such an agreement giving our coffee to a foreigner and it expects us to agree with it? No way!”
Hon. Kawalya introducing fellow MPs during Mission House fundraising at Namirembe Cathedral on Sunday. He said The Gov’t-Vinci coffee agreement was made in bad faith so it should be rejected
As the area member of Parliament, Kawalya requested the congregation to rise up and resist this coffee agreement saying it was brought in a bad faith and has many loopholes.
‘PARLIAMENT WILL ACT IN PUBLIC INTEREST’, SAYS SPEAKER AMONG
During today’s sitting of Parliament, Speaker Anita Among categorically told Members of Parliament that she is aware of the sentiments that have been expressed by the public and assured them that Parliament will act in public interest.
“I want you to know that we work for the good of the common man and our Country and the report will be debated without fail.” Among noted.” She added: “The report is ready and we shall have it presented. We work and represent millions of people out there. This report will come and we shall debate it.” Speaker Anita assures public.
The speaker’s communication follows concerns from the public and MPs about the fate of the report.
The speaker also dismissed allegations and fears that the report would not see the light of day because of the interests at play, insisting the House will stand with the citizens.
The report was handled by the Parliamentary Committee on Trade chaired by Mbarara City South MP Mwine Mpaka.
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