Kampala — THERE were strong protests in Parliament yesterday when justice state minister Adolf Mwesige asked the House to refer general debate on the Domestic Relations Bill (DRB) to allow further consultations with the Muslim community on the Bill.

The item was on the Order Paper for the Bill's second reading, but instead of moving a motion to that effect, Mwesige, who is the Deputy Attorney General, instead explained why he could not proceed with the Bill to the annoyance of the legislators who argued that the Bill has taken too long.

This is the third time that debate on the Bill is being deferred.

Women activists who sat in gallery to witness debate were equally disappointed with the turn of events. "We are so frustrated. There is lack of political will," one of them was heard saying at the end.

The speaker, Edward Ssekandi on several occasions asked the MPs what the general debate was for if the minister was not ready to move the motion. "We can't continue when the owner of the Bill says he is not ready. That is a fact. Otherwise we are wasting time," he said. He ruled that Mwesige returns to Parliament on Tuesday with areas of contention.

Mwesige said there was an impasse between the executive and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council over the Bill.

explained that the House postponed general debate on DRB on two occasions to allow the executive consult further.