New House regulations questioned

The new security measures instituted by the Speaker, Mr Edward Ssekandi, are obnoxious, opposition chief whip Mr Kasiano Wadri has said. The measures are contained in the Parliament (Powers and privileges) (Access to precincts of Parliament) Order 2010

The new measures require that a stranger gets prior appointment from an MP if one wants to access the precincts of the House. The new rules also require that for one to get access to the gallery, where visitors normally sit to listen to debate, he should get express permission from the clerk in consultation with the Speaker

The rules expressly outlaw demonstrations in Parliament and exclude the House from any liability if one ended up in consequences arising out of disobeying the order. But Mr Kasiano Wadri said Parliament was the epitome of democracy and stopping people from accessing it to express their opinion over matters of national concern was ridiculous. Need more information regarding house number?

"If the gallery is closed to the public, then how will people familiarise themselves with debate in the House? If people are petitioning the Speaker, How do you expect them to do it?" he asked