The 10th Parliament Wednesday passed the Communications Amendment bill, 2016 eliminating a requirement for parliamentary approval prior to new regulations for the sector.
The amendment to Section 93 (1) of the mother Communications Act, required parliamentary approval for any regulations set by the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Minister.
Legislators also passed another amendment giving parliament powers by resolution to revoke regulations made by the minister within 30 days from the date they are laid.
The proposed amendment was recommended by the ICT committee with the committee Vice Chairperson Maxwell Akora saying that it is to ensure efficient and effective execution of parliament's delegated authority to make regulations by the minister.
The passing of the amendments in the plenary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah met no opposition like it was the case in Wednesday's heated debate.
Oulanyah noted the ease with which the bill was passed Wednesday, saying that this meant that Wednesday's debate was instructive. Last evening, a section of MPs across the political divide put up a fight against the removal of parliament approval of regulations made for the sector.
MPs including Opposition Chief Whip Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga, Kabula County MP James Kakooza and others opposed the amendment saying it intended to give the minister powers to clamp down on the media.
However, Oulanyah guided the legislators that there are a number of provisions under the contentious section 93 that require regulations from the minister.
He added that it was not sensible for parliament to maintain approval powers on small things like regulating fees payable on grant or renewal of license and classification of categories of licenses among others.
