Sarah Kanyike and family meeting President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe
Former Deputy Lord Mayor of Kampala Capital City, Sarah Kanyike has taken oath as State Minister for the Elderly and the Disabled after her appointment by President Yoweri Museveni in July 2020.
After taking oath, Kanyike embarked on her ministerial duties by taking to the floor of Parliament to table the Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement Amendment) Bill for the second reading.
Kanyike defended Government’s decision to amend the principle act, saying the Law in its current form doesn’t provide powers of industrial court to summon witnesses and has no criteria on appointment of judges to the industrial court.
“In view of the above, the labour seeks to address the gap highlighted, including the move to provide for official seal of industrial court; providing for powers of industrial court including summoning witnesses and Aligning terms and conditions of appointment of judges to those of high court,” she said.
The Bill if passed into law will empower employers and labour unions to arbitrate over disputes between workers and employers in a bid to reduce back log at the Industrial Court.
Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality) congratulated Kanyike upon her appointment, saying the opposition had approved her appointment, adding that the group is prepared to work with her.
“We have all confidence that she will execute her assignment with commitment, diligence and commitment. She will execute the mandate upon her. We call her to serve the country first, when you put the country first, you will find your work very easy,” Basalirwa said.
Mululi Mukasa, who represented Government, welcomed Kanyike to Parliament and congratulated her upon the appointment.
“Your coming here is very important because there are Ugandans, many have found in you to be Minister of Elderly. We have confidence that you will serve this country with one heart according to the oath you have taken. We wish you the best of luck,” he said.
