MPs out of order on IGG’s budget

Jul 27, 2008

THERE is a standoff between the Inspector General of Government (IGG) and MPs on the legal and parliamentary affairs committee for the second time. The committee has been demanding that the IGG, Justice Faith Mwondha, appears personally to defend her budget for this financial year.

THERE is a standoff between the Inspector General of Government (IGG) and MPs on the legal and parliamentary affairs committee for the second time. The committee has been demanding that the IGG, Justice Faith Mwondha, appears personally to defend her budget for this financial year.

The IGG insists that there is no constitutional requirement for her to appear before the committee because she is not “answerable” to Parliament.

Although Justice Mwondha declined to appear before the committee, a delegation from the Inspectorate of Government, led by deputy IGG Raphael Baku, went to Parliament to defend the Inspectorate’s budget. The committee refused to have any discussions with the delegations insisting that the IGG must appear in person.

In principle, it is mutually useful for the IGG to have discussions with MPs and share ideas. Appearing before a parliamentary committee, would not, in itself, mean that the IGG is “answerable” to Parliament. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is equally not “subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.” But the DPP has often appeared before parliamentary committees to exchange views with the MPs.

Justice Mwondha has in the past appeared before the legal affairs committee. She later opted not to appear before the committee after a seemingly personal disagreement with the then committee chairperson, Peter Nyombi, who had served as an employee of the Inspectorate.

The committee, however, is out of order to refuse to consider the budget of the Inspectorate of Government. It is not legally necessary for the IGG to appear in person. If the IGG feels uncomfortable appearing before the committee, this should not prevent the committee considering the budget of the Inspectorate. MPs must not forget that the IGG was not needed to appear as a “witness to give evidence.”

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