National local content Bill withdrawn from Parliament

"At an opportune time, I will seek leave of this House to introduce the National Local Content Bill again, having thoroughly considered the amendments that are being proposed," said Oshabe.

He said this during the plenary sitting held on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Oshabe noted that the bill has been repeatedly amended by the Committee on Finance and no longer meets the intention for which it was meant to achieve.

"The Bill was an affirmative action law for Ugandans to ably participate in the provision of goods, works, and services. It was, however, modified to provide for the prioritisation of the East African Community partner states, which offends the very title of the bill," said Oshabe.

He cited Rule 116 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament, which bars a bill from ‘containing anything foreign’.

He said that other East African Community partner states are prioritising their own nationals for the provision of goods and services, yet the bill’s amendments sought to give them a priority equal to that of Ugandans.

"Furthermore, the amendments to the bill contravene many other new laws, including the procurement laws. I see that my original intention will not be achieved," Oshabe added.

The Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa, seconded Oshabe’s move while alluding to the just-passed Veterinary Practitioners' Bill, 2023, that sought to allow practitioners from EAC countries to be registered in Uganda.

"We got information that other East African countries are not doing the same. As we are opening up, they are closing. I support the honourable member in withdrawing the bill to ensure that his intention is preserved," said Basalirwa.

The bill was first passed by Parliament on September 6, 2022, but was returned by the President for reconsideration on January 19, 2023. It was again passed on March 29, 2023.

The President again returned it on Tuesday, August 15, 2023, citing, among other concerns, Clause 7 to be amended to include locally manufactured goods and services in the East African Community among the preference of goods readily available on the Ugandan market.