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Sunday 23 September 2012 - 08:31

Uganda lawmakers welcome teenage legislator

Story Code : 197845
Uganda lawmakers welcome teenage legislator
Currently in her Senior Six vacation, Proscovia Alengot finds herself a duly elected member of Uganda’s parliament after winning a hotly contested by-election in the Eastern part of the country.

Her election into the country’s national assembly is however generating debate given her tender age and level of education.

Alengot will for the next four years occupy the seat previously held by her father and former lawmaker, Michael Oromait, who died in July after a short illness.

Given the current controversy in the Ugandan parliament surrounding her tender age and level of education, some lawmakers argue that whether Alengot would be able to contribute anything substantial in Parliament is immaterial at this point.

Alengot was elected under the ticket of the ruling National Resistance Movement party after the Museveni led political party lost seven consecutive by- elections to the opposition.

Her victory and entry into parliament according to the ruling party is an assurance of the growing strength of the party.

Alengot’s tender age has led to many questioning whether she is ready for the national stage in parliament. Given her age and level of education, some lawmakers across the political divide fear she will take a lot of time to understand the parliamentary rules of procedure before she can make any contribution in the house.
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