KAMPALA- Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has asked the leadership of the Red Cross Society to liaise with the Attorney General and Office of the Prime Minister to introduce amendments to the Red Cross Act.
The speaker said this during a meeting she had with the leadership of Uganda red cross society today morning at parliament in her office.
In the meeting Red cross secretary general Robert Kwesiga noted that the current law enacted in 1964, is inadequate and vague especially on government’s financial obligations to the humanitarian organisation.
Kwesiga noted that the legislation needs to be amended because it does not address the demands of the day noting that there are some elements in the law which are a bit broad like on financial support and contribution to the society.
Kwesiga said the Red Cross has a financing framework with government through the Ministry of Health and the Office of the Prime Minister, but getting the resources, remains difficult.
Cue in…………..Kwesiga on cross
In response the speaker of parliament Anita Among noted that the support to Red Cross is support to many Ugandans battling with humanitarian crises, especially in disaster prone areas like Bududa, Kasese and places affected by flooding caused by the recent heavy rains.
Speaker Among also said the amendment can decisively address the financing challenges, and tasked Commissioner of Parliament Mathias Mpuuga to coordinate with Red Cross for speedy introduction of the Bill to give a proper legal framework to the organisation’s humanitarian works.
Cue in……………..speaker on red cross
