Deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa has warned legislators against absenteeism, saying Parliament’s electronic attendance system is now fully operational and will accurately monitor members’ presence during plenary sittings.Announcing the rollout of the biometric clock-in system, Tayebwa urged MPs to register their attendance immediately upon entering the Chamber.“Honourable colleagues, our system for clocking in is working. We are now taking cognisance of your presence in the House. So please don’t enter the House without registering,” Tayebwa said.The warning comes amid growing public scrutiny over MPs’ attendance and participation in parliamentary business, with concerns that absenteeism has previously affected quorum and delayed consideration of key business.Tayebwa reminded legislators that under Article 83(1)(d) of the Constitution and Parliament’s Rules of Procedure, an MP who misses 15 consecutive sittings without written permission from the Speaker, and fails to provide a satisfactory explanation to the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline, risks losing his or her parliamentary seat.The constitutional provision has been enforced before. In 2014, Bubulo West MP Tony Nsubuga Kipoi became one of the few legislators to lose his seat after Parliament adopted a report by the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Discipline, which found that he had missed more than 15 consecutive sittings without permission.Kipoi had attended only a handful of sittings before disappearing from Parliament, prompting the House to declare his seat vacant and pave the way for a by-election.Another notable case involved former UPDF representative Gen David Sejusa, who also lost his parliamentary seat during the Ninth Parliament after prolonged absence from House sittings while in exile.Although several other MPs, including former Mityana South MP Kaddu Mukasa and former Kyadondo South MP Issa Kikungwe, have previously been referred to the Rules Committee over absenteeism, they retained their seats after the disciplinary process.Recognising that some legislators may be unable to attend physically, Tayebwa noted that Parliament’s Rules of Procedure allow members to participate virtually, provided they comply with the prescribed procedures.“Those who are not able to come here physically, our rules provide for virtual attendance of the House. Once you attend virtually, we record it in the recordings of Parliament,” Tayebwa explained.However, he reminded members that the same standards governing physical attendance apply to virtual participation. Parliament issues secure daily login credentials to authorised members to prevent unauthorised access to proceedings.Tayebwa also outlined strict guidelines for virtual attendance, requiring MPs to dress formally, maintain a stable internet connection and participate from a private location free from interruptions.“I don’t want you to attend the session when you’re digging or you’re in a car travelling. Ensure you have a stable internet connection and you’re in a room where you are only and only you because we don’t want strangers to tag on and attend the House,” he added.The measures, he said, are intended to protect the integrity and confidentiality of parliamentary proceedings by ensuring that only authorised legislators participate in debates and decision-making.Despite the availability of virtual participation, Tayebwa encouraged MPs to prioritise physical attendance whenever possible, saying in-person participation remains the preferred mode of conducting parliamentary business.The biometric attendance system was first announced during the orientation of the 12th Parliament in May, when Clerk to Parliament Adolf Mwesige warned newly elected legislators that persistent absenteeism could cost them their seats.The latest directive signals Parliament’s intention to strictly enforce constitutional attendance requirements as it seeks to strengthen discipline, accountability and public confidence in the legislature.The post MPs warned against absenteeism as parliament activates biometric attendance system appeared first on The Observer Media Ltd.