Parliament passes the Public Order Management Bill.

Ugandan Parliament on Tuesday afternoon approved the Controversial Public Order Management Bill (POMB) 2011, amid resistance from the opposition Members of Parliament who argued that the Bill is a violation Human rights and freedoms especially Expression.

The Bill is aimed at regulating the conduct of all citizens in Public, in regard to Public gatherings and conduct.

Oulanyah Chaired the Passing of the POMB.

A contentious Clause 8 of the Bill mandates that whoever wishes to hold a public rally or gathering in public premises to first seek police permission. This is the clause that is causing chaos in the Country.

Several opposition politicians and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and Human Rights Activists, had urged Parliament not to pass the Bill in its current form.

Amnesty International's African deputy director Sarah Jackson warned the Bill might infringe on basic freedoms in the country if passed.

She in particular cited the right to organize and participate in public meetings or gatherings which discuss political issues as these would now be subject to heavy restrictions and controls from police.

She in particular cited the right to organize and participate in public meetings or gatherings which discuss political issues as these would now be subject to heavy restrictions and controls from police.

After disagreements in the house over the alleged claims that there were two order papers from which MPs were to choose from, with one having the discussion of the POMB and the other not. Despite pleas from the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nathan Nandala Mafabi not to discuss the Bill, Deputy Speaker ignored him and called for a vote on the Bill. 

Being the Majority in the House, NRM legislators had the biggest vote and this concluded the passing of the Bill. 

It will then be presented to the President to append his signature and if he does so, the Bill will now become a law.

During the same session, Oulanyah suspended Soroti Woman MP Angeline Osege from the House for three sittings. She is also barred from accessing parliamentary precincts and committee sittings during that period.

Angeline Osege joins three other MPs who were suspended last week over misconduct during the debate on the same bill. The MPs are Odonga Otto, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda and Theodore Ssekikubo.