Kampala, 6^th April 2017; Government has lost out on its key provision in the newly passed Anti-Terrorism (Amendment Bill 2017) that aimed at allotting the Minister of Internal Affairs powers to designate a terror suspect.

MPs who opposed the section 2 (1) from the proposed set of amendments argued that these powers could be misused by the minister to target individuals-especially those critical to the establishment.

However, the parliament presided over by deputy speaker, Jacob Oulanyah,  on Wednesday 5^th April 2017  voted in favour of other sections including, 2 (2) which defines terrorism, 7 focuses on terrorist activities beyond Uganda and 3 which seeks to curb collection of funds and ultimate financing of a suspected terrorist.

The 2017 amendments to Anti terrorism bill now await to be assented to by the president to become law.

This is the third time that government is amending the Anti- terrorism Act, it was first amended in 2015 then 2016.