Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga says she doesn’t regret her decision to suspend Parliament last week despite criticism from other organs of government.
The speaker said this during a meeting with her counterpart of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Speaker Daniel Kidega on Tuesday.
Kidega commended Kadaga for standing her ground and ensuring that the independence of Parliament is upheld.
“We want to congratulate you for the stewardship of the legislature of this country. We also congratulate you for defending the space of Parliament in the governance process,” Kidega commended the Speaker.
He added that, “We as an assembly do believe in the principle of separation of powers and as a young assembly we do emulate good practices from our mother national Parliaments.”
Kidega’s reaction followed an order issued by Deputy Chief Justice, Stephen Kavuma barring Parliament or any institution from probing into the payment of oil tax cash deal amounting to Sh6Bn by top Government officials.
However, the order caused uproar in Parliament, prompting Kadaga to suspend Parliament’s business until court order had been vacated.
In her response to the remarks made by her counterpart, Kadaga expressed relief that finally the order was repealed, which she said was a success on her side.
“On the issue of the independence of institutions, I will never relent on that one because that is what the constitution guaranteed that each of us should have space,” Kadaga assured.
She added, “They have revoked their orders and that’s why I have recalled the house. Some people were asking ‘why is she doing this! No no! What I ordered they have done it so tomorrow we shall sit.”