By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
The Kira Municipality MP, Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda has raised concerns about the outcome of Parliament’s resolution on the decision by parliament to censure the minister of state for housing, planning and urban development, Persis Namuganza Princess.
“Rule 109 under which this process is being conducted, requires that the decision is communicated to the President in 24 hours. This Parliament censured ministers but they were re-elected. Also, I wonder with all the things that have been said about Namuganza, why does the president still appoint her? Maybe he needs checking,” Ssemujju said.
He made the remarks on the floor of parliament during a special session to decide on the motion by Agago North MP, Nathan Okot to censure Namuganza over misconduct.
In a special sitting held in chambers of the parliament on Monday 23rd January,2023, 356 MPs participated in the voting exercise.
Of the total votes cast, 348 MPs voted ‘yes’ (in favour of the motion), five (05) MPs voted ‘no’ (against the motion) while only three (03) MPs abstained from voting, according to results tallied by the Clerk to Parliament.
However, Ssemujju noted that the President is fond of reappointing ministers who had been censured by the House in the past raising concerns over his resolution on Namuganza’s censure.
But, the presiding officer, deputy Speaker of parliament Thomas Tayebwa said he would inform the President of the censure motion within 24 hours as stipulated by Rule 109(13) of the Rules of Procedure.
The Genesis of Namuganza censure
Namuganza fate started last year when a report by an adhoc committee chaired by the Kazo member of parliament Dan Kimosho that was investigating the Naguru-Nakawa land pinned her of unlawful manipulation of the allocation of plots on the contested land. The committee recommended that Namuganza steps aside so as not to interfere with the investigations but, she was reported allover the media saying that parliament did not have powers to make such a decision. This raged anger among the members of parliament who said that the minister’s conduct was undermining the reputation and integrity of parliament.
She was later sent to a disciplinary proceedings of which she did not attend. The committee recommended for her censure over misconduct.
On Monday, the committee chaired by the Mbarara South MP Mwine Mpaka presented the report inwhich it stated that they found prima facie evidence to prove that the allegations contained in the censure motion moved by the Agago North MP, Nathan Okot.
Video clips from various media interviews were played for legislators from which the house agreed that Namuganza breached the standardards of behaviour and conduct expected of a minister and Member of Parliament as prescribed by rule 85 of parliament’ s rules of procedures and Article 118 of the constitution.
The committee chairperson asked the house to adopt the report to censure the minister.
“The committee prays that this report be adopted by the House under rule 109(9)(b) of the Rules of Procedures of Parliament in the proceedings of censure against Hon. Persis Namuganza Princess from the office of the minister of state for housing and urban development (in charge of housing),” Hon. Mwine Mpaka appealed.
The report was adopted for MPs to debate and voting exercise started by roll call pursuant to Rule 99 of the Rules of Procedures of Parliament.
Laura Kanushu, the PWD representative in parliament said, “It is hypocritical of us to put up rules which we [MPs] cannot respect, we are only bring shame to this House and we shall be a laughing stock in this country.”
According to the results, majority of the voters voted in support for the motion to censure minister Namuganza.
What the law says?
In accordance with Article 118(2) of the Constitution, upon a vote of censure being passed against a Minister, the President shall, unless a Minister resigns his or her office, take appropriate action in the matter.
