PUNISHING FAKE NEWS MONGERS: Baryomunsi’s ICT Ministry, Parliament Divided Over Nsereko’s Bill

The Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and National Guidance has recommended the withdrawal of Kampala Central MP’s Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill.

Moved as a private member’s bill on July 17, 2022, Nsereko’s bill seeks to stem cyber bullying and fake news by limiting dissemination of unauthorized digital content and information and ensuring online protection for Ugandans.

On August 16, officials from Dr Chris Baryomunsi’s ICT and National Guidance Ministry appeared before Moses Magogo’s ICT Committee of Parliament to give their input in the Nsereko Bill.

ICT and National Guidance Permanent Secretary Dr Aminah Zawedde revealed that Nsereko’s Bill was unnecessary since government was already working on a piece of legislation to plug the holes in the ICT laws such as the Computer Misuse Act 2011 that Nsereko badly wanted amended.

PS Zawedde recommended that the processing of the Computer Misuse (Amendment) Bill, 2022 be halted as Parliament is set to introduce the Information and Communications Bill, 2022 to handle all the concerns by the controversial Kampala Central MP.

The Permanent Secretary also revealed that Museveni’s Cabinet had recommended that the ICT Ministry should liaise with Nsereko in processing and supporting his bill. But the Ministry had decided that the independent MP’s bill was unnecessary since its Information and Communications Bill, 2022 would be ready for tabling by the end of 2022.

She went on to noted that the ICT Ministry was “awaiting clearance from the cabinet to proceed with the drafting of the bill.”

“This Bill once approved will, among others, harmonize and strengthen regulatory provisions in the existing laws and includes repeal of the Press and Journalism Act Cap. 105, the Stage Plays and Public Entertainment Act Cap. 49 and as well amend, the Data Protection and Privacy Act 2019,” Zawedde further explained.

But ICT Committee Chairperson Magogo, who is also the Fufa President, and lover to Speaker Anita Annet Among, insisted that the ICT Ministry’s proposal would not make him suspend the processing of Nsereko’s Bill.

“ As a committee, we shall continue with our discussion and meeting other stakeholders. Allow us to internalize it and we shall definitely include the ministry’s opinion in the recommendation to Parliament,” ruled Magogo.

Some have argued that Nsereko drafted his bill after lawyer Isaac Ssemakadde ’embarrassed’ him on live TV, making it clear to the MP that he has a right to call him a fool. (Read Story Here).

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