“Do rigorous research before you open your mouths,” Oulanyah advises MPs.

Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah has informed legislators that all debates in the 11th Parliament must be evidence-based, and that politicians who do not have facts will not be allowed to talk on the floor.

Oulanyah said it is sad that some MPs waste parliament’s time with half-baked comments, which is a disservice to the voters, as he presided over his first sitting as a speaker.

Oulanyah, who had been unwell, also led MPs in a minute of silence in memory of Lt. Gen. Pecos Kutesa and Maj. Gen. Paul Lokech, both of whom died last week.

He brought the new Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige, to the House after a minute of silence in memory of the two departed Generals.

He informed parliamentarians that he would call a special session in which they would be able to debate the Uganda they want for the next five years.

He warned them that he will not accept half-baked submissions from legislators, and that the debate in this new Parliament must be evidence-based.

Several MPs who talked to the Nile Post praised the speaker’s decision, claiming that evidence-based discussions would increase the level of debate in the House.