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Kampala, (UG):- The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) Tuesday convened at State House Entebbe and the meeting resulted in the appointment of new chairpersons and deputies for the 15 sectoral committees of Parliament.
The meeting, presided over by President Yoweri Museveni, the party’s national chairman, also resulted in significant leadership changes aimed at enhancing committee effectiveness and accountability.
Reports indicate that several high-profile MPs were replaced as part of the committee restructuring, notable among whom include Budiope East MP Moses Hashim Magogo, the chairperson of the ICT and National Guidance Committee, and Mbarara South Division MP Mwine Mpaka, who led the Tourism, Trade and Industry Committee.
John Teira, the MP for Bugabula North in former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga-dominated Kamuli district, is among the lucky ones who benefit from the reshuffles after Gen Museveni fronted him to replace jailed Yusuf Mutembuli as the Deputy Chairperson for Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee.
Similarly, Magogo’s former deputy and Kwania County MP, Tonny Ayoo (Kwania County), has retained his slot as Vice Chairperson of the ICT and National Guidance Committee, although Magogo’s replacement to chair the committee has not been named.
Others that have been dropped include Adjumani District Woman Representative, Jesca Ababiku, who has for long held the top leadership of the Presidential Affairs Committee, and Naome Kabasharira (Rushenyi County) former Vice Chairperson, but the new leadership to this committee wasn’t designated, save for its members.
The government has also dropped Robina Rwakoojo (Gomba West County) and Yusuf Mutembuli (Bunyole East County), who have lost their leadership positions on the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee.
The government also dropped Emmanuel Otaala (West Budama South County) and Nathan Igeme Nabeta (Jinja South East Division) as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson on the Committee of Environment and Natural Resources. Feta Geoffrey (Ayivu East) will steer this committee as Vice Chairperson in the meantime, as Parliament awaits for the Chairperson to be named.
Koboko Municipality MP, Dr. Charles Ayume, has been dropped as Chairperson, Health Committee, although no one has been named as his replacement. However, Samuel Opio Acuti (Kole North County) has retained his position as Vice Chairperson.
The leadership of the Committee on Gender, Labour, and Social Development led by Flavia Kabahenda (Kyegegwa District Woman Representative) and her deputy, Sarah Najjuma (Nakaseke District Woman MP), have all been dropped and replaced with Rosemary Nyakikongoro (Sheema District Woman Representative) and Sowedi Kintanywa (Busongora North).
Norah Bigirwa (Buliisa District Woman MP) has also been dropped as Chairperson, Foreign Affairs Committee, and replaced with Catherine Lamwaka (Omoro District Woman MP), who has been the Vice Chairperson, Trade and Tourism Committee. Fred Opolot (Pingire County) has retained his slot as Vice Chairperson, Foreign Affairs Committee.
John Ntamuhira Twesigye (Bunyaruguru County) has been removed from his position as Chairperson of the Committee of Education and Sports, with no successor named at this time. However, James Kubeketerya (Bunya County East) will continue to serve as Vice Chairperson of the Education Committee.
The government has also removed Noeline Kisembo Basemera (DWR Kibaale) and Abdi Fadhir Kisos Chemaswet (Soi County) from their leadership positions on the Committee on East African Affairs. They have been replaced by Jeniffer Ayoo Nalukwago (Kalaki DWR) as the new chairperson, with Isaac Ssejoba (Bukoto Mid-West) serving as her deputy.
Janet Okori-Moe (DWR Abim), who has held the top leadership position for the Agriculture Committee, has finally been replaced by her former deputy, Linda Agnes Auma (DWR Lira), who is now going to be deputized by Hope Grania Nakazibwe (Mubende DWR).
Specific Appointments and Replacements
- Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee:
- Chairperson: Ms. Robina Gureme Rwakoojo retains her position.
- Deputy Chairperson: Bugabula North County MP John Teira replaces Bunyole East MP Yusuf Mutembuli, who is currently facing corruption charges.
- Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Committee:
- Deputy Chairperson: Mubende District MP Hope Nakazibwe replaces Lira District Woman MP Agnes Linda Auma.
- Environment and Natural Resources Committee:
- Chairperson: Ayivu East Division MP Geofrey Feta replaces Dr Emmanuel Otaala of Budaama County.
RETAINED
Kazo County MP Dan Kimosho and Tony Awany (Nwoya County) have retained their positions as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson, respectively, on the Physical Infrastructure Committee.
Amos Kankunda (Rwampara County) has retained his position as Chairperson, Finance Committee. However, his former deputy, Jane Pacuto Avur (Pakwach District Woman Representative), has been dropped and replaced by Moses Aleper (Chekwii County) as the new Vice Chairperson.
The government has also maintained Nyabushozi County MPs Wilson Kajwengye and Linos Ngompek (Kibanda North County) on the top leadership of the Defense and Internal Affairs Committee.
Martin Mapenduzi Ojara (Bardege-Layibi Division) has retained his role as Chairperson of the Committee of Public Service and Local Government. However, his former deputy, Christine Apolot (DWR Kumi), was not as fortunate, as she was removed from her position. A replacement for Apolot has yet to be named.
The CEC emphasized that the appointees will undergo a thorough vetting process to ensure they meet the necessary standards of competence and integrity.
This move is part of a broader effort to eliminate inefficiency and misconduct within parliamentary committees, addressing concerns about “bad apples” in the system.
The CEC meeting was also attended by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, necessitating the rescheduling of a parliamentary session originally set for the same day.
This decision was driven by significant concerns over widespread corruption within the parliamentary committees, prompting the leadership to take decisive action to address and rectify the situation.