Uganda receives Certificate of Financial implications, paving way for tabling the TC Bill
Uganda’s Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has finally issued a Certificate of Financial Implications for the Tobacco Control Bill, 2014.  The Certificate issued on Friday February 14, was handed over to the mover of the motion, to table the TC Bill, Hon. Chris Baryomunsi.  The issuing of the Certificate now paves way for the tabling of the Bill, which according to Hon. Baryomunsi, should be in a month’s time.

The certificate of Financial implications is a pre-requisite for the tabling of any bill moved by a private member, like the tobacco control bill.  All the other requirements, including the consultations with the Tobacco Industry and the tobacco farmers were already fulfilled.  The certificate is therefore a great achievement in the Uganda Tobacco Control Bill process, and a great step towards the attainment of a comprehensive legislation. Prior to this, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development,  Mr. Keith Muhakanizi , had in a meeting with CTCA and WHO, assured TC advocates that his ministry would support the entire tobacco control process including raising tobacco control taxes and issuing of the certificate of financial implications. 

The Tobacco Control Bill will be tabled by a private member, Hon. Baryomunsi, who has been working closely with the Ministry of Health and other TC Partners under the Tobacco Control Coordination mechanism. CTCA has constantly provided technical support at all the stage.