Parliamentary Reform in East and Southern Africa

Sponsored by the World Bank Institute, the Parliamentary Center (PC) is conducting research into parliamentary reform in five countries in East and Southern Africa: Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, which has recently been turned into the report ‘Parliamentary Reform in East and Southern Africa’. During a brown bag lunch held on May 19, Dr. Rasheed Draman, Director of African Programs of the Parliamentary Centre of Canada, discussed significant attempts that have been made to change parliamentary procedures, structures and traditions in the sub-region.

The discussion was moderated by Rick Stapenhurst (Senior Public Sector Management Specialist and Team Leader of the Parliamentary Strengthening Program of the World Bank Institute). Dr. Draman’s presentation focused on case studies of parliamentary reform in Uganda and Tanzania, situated within regional and national, constitutional and historical contexts.

As for Uganda, the main reform has been the establishment of a Budget Committee and a Budget Office, via the Budget Act of 2001. During Uganda’s so-called ‘no-party’ era parliamentarians felt confident to challenge the cabinet and bureaucracy. Without an official opposition to worry about the executive branch was more open to ideas for reform. The reform was led by the Honourables Isaac Musumba and Beatrice Kiraso. Together, they wrote a first draft of the bill, that was eventually strengthened and approved by parliament. The Budget Act increased Parliament’s powers to scrutinize estimates of revenue and expenditure; it gave committees the authority to call government officials to appear before them; and made it more difficult for the Government to push through large expenditures. Since its establishment, Uganda’s Budget Office has been identified as an example of best practice in the region.

In Tanzania, new Standing Orders were introduced last January. After the 2005 elections the Honourable Samual Sitta and the Honourable Anne Makinda became Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively. Since then, they have shown to be genuinely committed to the goal of a more democratic and autonomous Parliament. The new Standing Orders created a Public Accounts, Local Government Accounts, and a Public Corporation Accounts Committee. Each of these committees has to be chaired by a member of the opposition. An Office of Legal Advisor to Parliament was established, as were regular parliamentary convenes, pre-budget meetings, and more time for Parliament to review and discuss the budget.

These case studies suggest that the right circumstances still require persons that have the knowledge and authority to take legislative initiative and to grow support for it.

The World Bank Institute’s Parliamentary Strengthening Program aims to enhance parliaments’ capacity to effectively fulfill their responsibilities, especially with regard to government policy implementation and budget oversight. For more information contact Rick Stapenhurst  or visit the WBI Parliamentary Strengthening Program’s webpage.