Parliament Set to Revive Red Cross Amendment Bill for Enhanced Humanitarian Support

Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has announced that Parliament is poised to reintroduce the Red Cross Amendment bill, previously passed by the 10th parliament but left unsigned by the president.

In a speech delivered on her behalf by Herbert Ariko, the Member of Parliament for Soroti Municipality, during a Uganda Red Cross national council meeting in Kampala last Saturday, Among pledged Parliament’s commitment to collaborate with relevant government structures to provide the necessary technical and political backing for the passage of the bill into law.

Among emphasized the significance of the bill, which aims to formalize the auxiliary role of the Uganda Red Cross alongside the government of Uganda and other public authorities. This role encompasses disaster risk management, humanitarian response during armed conflict, violence, disasters, and public health emergencies.

The bill also underscores the Uganda Red Cross Society’s dedication to promoting and disseminating International Humanitarian Law, Disaster Law, and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

In her remarks, Speaker Among highlighted the importance of strengthening the Uganda Red Cross’s role to enhance its effectiveness and efficiency in delivering services. She assured that the organization would receive full political and financial support to fulfill its mandate of assisting Ugandans.

Robert Kwesiga, the Secretary General of the Uganda Red Cross Society, hailed the bill as a significant stride towards enabling the organization to better serve and aid vulnerable communities.