Anti Age Limit NRM MPs Dropped In Parliamentary Committee Reshuffle

Parliament has approved the appointment of new Committee Chairpersons, Deputies and members.

A critical look at the new appointments show that anti age limit removal NRM MPs (read rebel NRM MPs) have been dropped as Chairpersons and Deputy Chairpersons of various Committees. Ruth Nankabirwa, Government Chief Whip and NRM party ensured that the ‘big headed’ lawmakers didn’t return to head Committees.

For example, Fort Portal Municipality MP, Alex Ruhunda has been dropped as the chairperson of Tourism, Trade Industry and replaced with Nansana Municipality MP Robert Sebunya. Ruhunda voted against the lifting of the controversial presidential age limit.

Kiryandongo District Woman MP, Helen Kahunde, who also voted against lifting the age limit has been punished by dropping her as Vice chairperson of the Health Committee and replaced with Kyenjojo Woman MP Baguma Spelanza.

Bukenya Michael retained his seat as Chairperson of Health Committee.

Following allegations of mishandling the investigations into the mandatory vehicle inspections, Lillian Nakate, the Luweero Woman MP was dropped as Deputy Chairperson, Physical Infrastructure Committee. She has been replaced by Kafeero Ssekitoleko, with Kumama Nsamba retaining his slot as Chairperson.

Mbale District Wompan MP, Connie Galiwango Nakayenze has been dropped as Chairperson of the Education and Sports Committee and replace with Palisa County MP Jacob Apolot.

Defence and Internal Affairs Committee that oversees Ministry of Defence and Internal Affairs received the shakeup when former leaders Judith Nabakooba and Mbogo Kezekia dropped as Chairperson and Deputy respectively. They were replaced by Doreen Amule and Moses Nagwomu.

Buvuma Islands MP Robert Migadde Ndugwa has been dropped as Chairperson of Agriculture committee and replaced with Abim District Woman MP Janet Grace Akech Okorimoe.

Ameru Susan, Amuria Woman MP has been dropped as vice chairperson presidential Affairs committee and replaced with Napak District Woman MP Nyakuni Jessica.

Isingiro South MP Alex Byarugaba, who has been the Chairperson of the Parliaments’ committee on Natural Resources has been dropped and replaced with Kefa Kiwanuka, the Kiboga East MP.

Henry Musasizi retained his slot as Chairperson of the Finance Committee, although his deputy Loy Katali (Jinja Woman) was dropped from the Committee.

The designation on the Gender and Labour Committee raised eyebrows when Nankabirwa named Beatrice Anywar who is an Independent MP to deputise Alex Ndeezi, who has retained his seat as Chairperson on the gender Committee.

NRM also designated Gaffa Mbwatekamwa as a member on the Gender Committee, a decision the Legislator protested arguing that he only applied on the Committee of health.

But he was cut short by Denis Obua who schooled him on the Rules of Procedure (Rule 183) arguing that all committees are equal and there is no way Mbwatekwmwa can argue that being designated to Gender is a punishment.

Indeed, Kadaga ruled Mbwatekamwa out of order. But in response, Medard Sseggona who was acting as Opposition Chief Whip told Mbwatekamwa that the only solution he has is to cross from the ruling party to opposition.

On the Committee of East African Community Affairs, George Ouma and Agnes Amede have been named heads of the Committee.

There were also changes on the Foreign Affairs Committee where NRM brought fresh blood; Hood Katuramu and Violet Akurut, pushing out Rose Mutonyi who was dropped as Chairperson.

Annet Nyaketcho retained her position as Chairperson of  ICT Committee and will be  deputized by Paul Amoru.

On the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Jacob Oboth bounced back as Chairperson, but his deputy Robinah Rwakoojo was replaced with Sam Bitangara.

Monicah Amoding was transferred from the Legal Committee to the Trade and Tourism Committee while Paul Mwiru joins his opposition counterparts like Abdu Katuntu, Ssemujju Nganda, Medard Sseggona and Mathias Mpugga as heads of Committees.

The designation of members on the Public Service and Local Government saw Godfrey Onzima retain his place as Chairperson of the Committee and is going to be designated by Elizabeth Kalungi

Fred Bwino and David Mutebi were designated as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of Science and Technology Committee.

There were also changes on the Equal Opportunities where Hellen Asamo and Robinah Rwakoojo were designated to take over the leadership after Muhammad Nsereko was dropped as Chairperson.

Speaker Kadaga asked former Members to prepare and hand over to new members so that work can commence.