The speaker of parliament Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga has expressed dismay over the continued laxity of the finance ministry in issueing certificates of financial implication to mps who sponsor private members’ Bills.

A number of Bills are pending presentation before parliament among which include the Minimum Wage Bill which is being sponsored by Alinaitwe Rwakajara the workers’ mp, and its now closing to a period of two years without receiving the certificate of financial implication.

Kadaga noted that Uganda is the only country within the East African Community without a minimum wage legislation, which renders workers to be exploited by their employers in terms of salaries and wages.

She noted that previously she advised the ministry of finance to always issue certificates of financial implications to members who sponsor private members’ Bills in only a period of 30 days because some of these Bills are partinent to society.

Kadaga made the remarks while officiating at the launch of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Media Strategic Plan at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala.

Kadaga has also expressed concerns over the non-ratification of International instruments yet various commitments have been made to incomperate them into the local perspective, further noting that Uganda was recently mentioned among the countries which are reluctant to ratifying international instruments like legislations.

Meanwhile the chairperson of the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Media Mariam Nalubegsa who is also the Butambala woman mp has said that this four year strategic plan that has been launched today will help to guide their workings on how to promote the media fraternity in Uganda.

Nalubega noted that their core function is to ensure that journalists enjoy a good working environment which is fairly free from interferences.

In the same way the secretary general of the forum Dr. Michael Lulume Bayiga who is the Buyikwe South mp said that with the formation of this this Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Media, journalists are now having a voice that will ensure the promotion of their plight through engaging the different state holders including government.