KAMPALA – Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa surprised legislators on Friday when he announced the appointment of a seven-member committee to deal with Persis Namuganza-the State Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development on matters related to her censure.
The Namuganza censure issue wasn’t on the order paper.
The committee has Mwine Mpaka Rwamirama – the Mbarara City South representative as chairperson, with Wilfred Niwagaba-the Ndorwa East MP, Mpindi Bumali-Disability representative and Charles Bakabulindi-Workers’ representative.
Others are; Nancy Acora-the Lamwo District Woman representative; Betty Ethel Naluyima-the Wakiso District Woman representative; and Tororo North County MP-Geoffrey Ekanya.
Tayebwa communicated the appointment during a special plenary sitting on Friday.
The Namuganza issue is a follow-up on a motion, which Agago North MP-John Amos Okot tabled On December 23, 2022 – seeking a resolution of Parliament to censure the Minister for alleged contempt of the House – after over 200 legislators had signed a petition.
Tayebwa’s communication was a surprise to MPs because the issue was not on the day’s order paper. Earlier on Wednesday, Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesigye, who, on Monday recalled the House from recess to constitute the Committee, amended the order paper to exclude the item.
Tayebwa gave the committee, an ultimatum of 15 days within which to accord Namuganza an opportunity to be heard and make a report to the House by January 23.
Namuganza is being accused of contempt of Parliament and gross misconduct following her questionable role in the Nakawa-Naguru land giveaway to some dubious investors, a process reportedly aided by a falsified presidential directive.
The lawmakers also accuse Namuganza of making slanderous remarks against an ad-hoc committee of Parliament set to probe her involvement in the controversial giveaway of the land in question. Notably, the forged Presidential directive misguided Uganda Land Commission – ULC to sanction the land giveaway.
Namuganza has since denied any wrongdoing but rather blamed Speaker Anita Among for escalating a ‘personal fight’ in a balance of power showdown aimed at relieving her of Ministerial appointment.
