PETITION OF THE EC FOR A REFERUNDUM TO REDUCE MPS FROM 529 TO 191

Harambe Initiative President Nasser Kakumba and other members addressing the press. Nasser Kakumba, President of the Harambe Initiative Uganda, has called upon Ugandans to support a plan to reduce the number of Members of Parliament (MPs) from 529 to 191. This initiative aims to align Uganda's parliamentary representation more closely with neighboring countries like Tanzania, which has 399 MPs, and address inefficiencies compared to countries like Iran and America, which have significantly fewer representatives despite larger populations. In a press conference at Thoban Center the Petition was Launched on Thursday 18th July 2024 after it was granted permission from the Electro Commission (EC). Through Section 255 and official elections, the plan seeks to streamline representation to one MP per district, while also ensuring adequate representation for women MPs from regions such as Bunyoro, Lango, Teso, Karamoja, and Rwenzori, through 45 district councillors. Kakumba argues that maintaining a Ministry of Defense with ten military representatives in Parliament is a misuse of taxpayer funds. By reducing the number of MPs to 121, the initiative claims to save approximately, shs 12 billion, which can instead be allocated towards critical infrastructure such as hospitals, roads, and prisons. The initiative requires signatures from one-tenth of the district's voters to petition for this change, and Kakumba encourages citizens to gather these signatures actively in offices, parks, and markets.The campaign is estimated to spend 41 days if citizens act upon the call.

" Our Parliament size compared to that of countries neighbouring us like Tanzania 3.9 times bigger than Uganda geographical area. It has a population of aproximately 66 million people, a GDP of 76 billion USD and per capital income of 1,200 USD as of 2022 with 393 Members of Parliament." Said Nasser Kakumba. Further more he compared South Africa being five times bigger than Uganda in geographical size with a GDP of 405 billion USD a population of approximately 61 million people and a per capital income of 6,700 USD as of 2022 yet it has 400 Members of Parliament. Iran 7 times bigger than Uganda with a GDP of over 413 billion USD, a population of approximately 90 million people and a per capital income of over 4,700 USD yet it obtains 290 MPs. The United States everyone's dream country being 39.4 times bigger than Uganda in geographical size with a GDP of 25.44 trillion USD (as of 2022),a population of approximately 342 million peope and per capital income of 76,329 USD with only a total sum of 535 representatives both senate an congress combined. Kalule Hassan the spokesperson for the initiative lamented, " I emphasize that this move is essential for realizing Article 1 of the constitution of Uganda granting right to vote, including the right to education and healthcare for all children." The spokesperson informed the press that citizens between 22-45 years should act positively not to become a shame like the old if Uganda is to be saved from long time disappointment. Kakumba concluded by urging swift action to implement these reforms, emphasizing the need to optimize parliamentary representation to better serve the needs of the people.