Kampala — PARLIAMENT needs prayers for guidance to debate the controversial Land Amendment Bill 2007, Premier Apolo Nsibambi has said.

"I know MPs are facing very a challenging time ahead of making a law which will decide the fate of millions of Ugandans, but MPs need prayers for guidance," Nsibambi clarified. Nsibambi said this while attending an end of year Holy Communion service organised by the parliamentary chaplaincy.

Last Tuesday, MPs on committees of physical infrastructure, parliamentary and legal affairs who had been scrutinising the Land Bill 2007, presented a draft report, which they want Parliament to pass with minor amendments.

The draft report recommended that the Government finds a way of assisting people who have been evicted before the law is enacted. Nsibambi said some MPs were threatened by their constituents, that in case they enact a law which favours land grabbers, they will not be re-elected. "The tenants (bibanja holders) and the landlords have their own interests, too. The challenge is to make laws which will harmonise both parties," he said.

Church of Uganda Archbishop Henry Luke Orombi said God will guide them during the debates and told them not to worry. "God will lead you through the difficult times ahead of you while debating the Land Bill. I call upon all religious leaders to pray for the MPs ahead of the challenges," Orumbi said. He cautioned the legislators to be objective and accountable.