RECALL PARLIAMENT ON OIL DEALINGS NOW

BACKGROUND

On Thursday September 22nd, at least 166 elected MPs across the political spectrum appended their names to a key petition seeking to force an emergency session of Parliament on the current standoff in the oil sector. The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has refused to recall Parliament for an emergency session to discuss the ongoing tax disagreement with Heritage Oil.

PREAMBLE

WE CONCERNED CITIZENS OF UGANDA;

DEEPLY concerned that our basic rights and freedoms guaranteed under the 1995 constitution of Uganda are being endangered by a resurging abuse of power by the Executive and the Legislature through unconstitutional legislation to support unconstitutional Acts such as the proposed Sale of Mabira, the anti-Bail Law and most recently the secrecy behind the Oil Treaties

IN SOLIDARITY with young people around the world who are innocent victims of global economic systems that are exploitative and singularly driven  in the interest of a few individuals and companies that lead to increasingly obscene income disparities which perpetuate debt, unemploymeny, and poverty which robs Humanity of Dignity

REAFFIRMING our duty to protect Uganda’s Economic interests in the region and internationally as well as protection of Uganda's national resources such as Oil and Gas from unfair exploitation by tenacious and exploitative foreign companies

DO HEREBY REJECT

1. The Speaker's decision not to recall parliament to resolve the anomalies around the oil treaties between Uganda and Heritage Oil despite a petition by over a third of the MPs, which contravenes of  Article 95 (5) of the Constitution
2. The Speaker's disregard for openness, transparency, clear accountability systems, and popular involvement of citizens through information sharing and not being patriotic enough to defend and try to steer
3. The Speaker's failure to recognise the calamity that has befallen other African oil states and to take necesary steps to protect Uganda from such calamity
4. The Speaker's adoption of a partisan stand on matters that affect ALL Ugandans hours after the President had instructed NRM MPs to stay away from the Oil debate
5. The Speaker's breach of oath to protect and safeguard the constitution and protect the Interest of Ugandans and their Children.

WE DEMAND THAT

1. Parliament is recalled to discuss and resolve the debate around the Oil  & Gas Exploration deal between the Government of Uganda and Heritage Oil as required by Article 95 (5) of the Constitution
2. That a Vote of NO CONFIDENCE is passed against the the Speaker for her partisan conduct in attempting to muzzle the debate on Oil
3. That ALL matters pertainig to the Oil & Gas Exploration in the Lake Albert area are halted until all dealings and documents are openly declared to the public in accordance with the Access to Information Act

WE COMMEND AND ENCOURAGE ALL PEACE LOVING AND PATRIOTIC CITIZENS OF UGANDA, BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD, AND CALL UPON YOU TO SUPPORT THIS PETITION SO THAT TOGETHER WE SECURE THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY AND OUR CHILDREN

FOR GOD AND OUR COUNTRY