Rules Committee to meet Kadaga this week over Namuganza row

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Rules, Privileges and Discipline Committee of Parliament has invited the Speaker Rebecca Kadaga for an interaction in relation to the bickering between her and State Minister for Land Persis Namuganza.

The committee was tasked by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah to probe the animosity between the two leaders from Busoga region.

Persis Namuganza, the Member of Parliament for Bukono County, in Namutumba district, allegedly insulted and threatened Kadaga referring to her as unqualified and unfit to hold the office of a Member of Parliament. According to Namuganza, Kadaga, who has been in parliament for almost 30 years, has outlived her usefulness.

Abbas Agaba, the vice chairperson of the rules committee says they have written a letter requesting for an interaction with Kadaga in the course of the new week. Agaba says that although an interaction is more modest, they still hope they will get information from the Speaker to help the committee proceed with the ongoing investigation.

He says it will only be her responsibility to come and attend to one of her committee concerns.

Agaba adds that the investigations are moving on smoothly since Namuganza did not deny anything before the committee. He says the committee will need more than the 45-days period granted to them to finalize the investigation.

Parliament’s Director of Communication Chris Obore says the committee has a right to request to meet the Speaker for an interaction. Obore says if she grants the request, then she can schedule them for a meeting.

“The Speaker wants committees to work. That interaction depends on the schedule of the Speaker but I know she has nothing to hide on that matter. She has never said anything in regard to the matter under the committee investigation,” Obore told URN.