MP Kamba denies defaming Kadaga
Jan 03, 2008
THE Kibuuku county MP, Saleh Kamba, has said the petition by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament against him is based on rumours. Rebecca Kadaga last month asked the committee on rules, privileges and discipline to take action against Kamba for alleged defamation.
By Paul Kiwuuwa
and Madinah Tebajjukira
THE Kibuuku county MP, Saleh Kamba, has said the petition by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament against him is based on rumours. Rebecca Kadaga last month asked the committee on rules, privileges and discipline to take action against Kamba for alleged defamation.
Kamba had allegedly told the NRM caucus that Kadaga bribed to voters to reject the Third Deputy Prime Minister, Kirunda Kivenjinja, in the recent Bugweri by-election. The seat was won by Abdu Katuntu of the FDC.
In a written submission to the committee, Kamba yesterday said Kadaga did not attend the December 17 NRM caucus meeting, where it is claimed he made the statements.
“What is in the complaint’s petition are mere exaggerations, concoctions and deliberate misrepresentations by her source of information. I categorically state that the contents of the complaint are completely untrue and those were not my words.â€
Kamba said the Deputy Speaker had no mandate to direct the committee to investigate the matter.
“Kadaga puts herself in the positions of the complainant, the judge and the executioner. Kadaga has no mandate and moral authority to direct the committee to hear the case.â€
He added that Kadaga was wrong to direct the committee to recommend for Kamba’s suspension from Parliament.
“This is contrary to the principles of natural justice and doctrine of equity,†Kamba said.
“This is completely an NRM internal matter where Kadaga and I are full-time members and has nothing to do with Parliament.
“Therefore, this committee on rules and discipline is completely a wrong forum for the matter under review.â€
Kamba said he had petitioned the Constitutional Court for a legal interpretation of Kadaga’s directives and also lodged a complaint with the NRM disciplinary committee.
The committee chairperson, Asuman Kiyingi, said Kamba’s submission would be analysed before meeting him again next week.
and Madinah Tebajjukira
THE Kibuuku county MP, Saleh Kamba, has said the petition by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament against him is based on rumours. Rebecca Kadaga last month asked the committee on rules, privileges and discipline to take action against Kamba for alleged defamation.
Kamba had allegedly told the NRM caucus that Kadaga bribed to voters to reject the Third Deputy Prime Minister, Kirunda Kivenjinja, in the recent Bugweri by-election. The seat was won by Abdu Katuntu of the FDC.
In a written submission to the committee, Kamba yesterday said Kadaga did not attend the December 17 NRM caucus meeting, where it is claimed he made the statements.
“What is in the complaint’s petition are mere exaggerations, concoctions and deliberate misrepresentations by her source of information. I categorically state that the contents of the complaint are completely untrue and those were not my words.â€
Kamba said the Deputy Speaker had no mandate to direct the committee to investigate the matter.
“Kadaga puts herself in the positions of the complainant, the judge and the executioner. Kadaga has no mandate and moral authority to direct the committee to hear the case.â€
He added that Kadaga was wrong to direct the committee to recommend for Kamba’s suspension from Parliament.
“This is contrary to the principles of natural justice and doctrine of equity,†Kamba said.
“This is completely an NRM internal matter where Kadaga and I are full-time members and has nothing to do with Parliament.
“Therefore, this committee on rules and discipline is completely a wrong forum for the matter under review.â€
Kamba said he had petitioned the Constitutional Court for a legal interpretation of Kadaga’s directives and also lodged a complaint with the NRM disciplinary committee.
The committee chairperson, Asuman Kiyingi, said Kamba’s submission would be analysed before meeting him again next week.