Opposition want Oulanyah censured from office
Jul 20, 2011
THE opposition has called for the resignation of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, saying he is taking part in partisan politics.
By Catherine Bekunda
THE opposition has called for the resignation of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, saying he is taking part in partisan politics.
Nandala Mafabi, the Leader of Opposition, while addressing journalists at Parliament yesterday, said Oulanyah participated in the NRM caucus meeting held at President Yoweri Museveni’s home in Rwakitura over the weekend.
“Oulanyah is supposed to be impartial. It is high time he resigned his post as deputy speaker because he is siding with the NRM,†Mafabi said.
“We shall not feel comfortable attending Parliament presided over by a partisan speaker. He has brought shame and ridicule to the office of the speaker,†noted Odonga-Otto (FDC).
However, Oulanyah said he attended the Rwakitura meeting as MP of Omoro county. He said he went to copy the best practices for his people.
Oulanyah was elected deputy speaker on May 19, having defeated Otto.
A motion for the removal of a Speaker or Deputy Speaker of Parliament must be supported by not less than two-thirds of all the voting MPs.
“The risk is real. We are worried because Oulanyah commended the most harmful thing that has affected the democracy of this country — lifting of the presidential term limits,†said Hassan Fungaroo.
He said Oulanyah would find no trouble in passing the law, denying bail to suspects of murder, rioting, economic sabotage and defilement.
The legislators told journalists that Parliament is nolonger independent following the suspension of Parliament business to allow NRM MPs hold their caucus.
Mafabi said instead of Museveni taking NRM MPs to Rwakitura, the ministry of agriculture should have addressed the same issues in Parliament.
The opposition expressed worry over Museveni’s abuse of public resources for personal and party activities.
“He is hosting MPs at State House Entebbe even when it is clearly not a state function. It is tax payers that will pay for utilities such as water used in flashing toilets used by these MPs,†Nandala said.
Ken Lukyamuzi (CP) said the 9th Parliament would jealously defend the resources of Uganda.
Mafabi also rubbished the Presidents’ call to amend the Constitution to deny bail for six months to persons suspected of offences such as murder, treason, economic sabotage, defilement, rioting and rape.
Mafabi said Museveni would fall victim of this law because he had sabotaged the economy.
“He is spending money meant for roads and drugs on issues that are not productive. The International Criminal Court should consider trying presidents who abuse public resources for personal gain,†he said.
Odonga-Otto said Ugandans have the Constitutional power to go to court and block Parliament from passing the law.
THE opposition has called for the resignation of the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, saying he is taking part in partisan politics.
Nandala Mafabi, the Leader of Opposition, while addressing journalists at Parliament yesterday, said Oulanyah participated in the NRM caucus meeting held at President Yoweri Museveni’s home in Rwakitura over the weekend.
“Oulanyah is supposed to be impartial. It is high time he resigned his post as deputy speaker because he is siding with the NRM,†Mafabi said.
“We shall not feel comfortable attending Parliament presided over by a partisan speaker. He has brought shame and ridicule to the office of the speaker,†noted Odonga-Otto (FDC).
However, Oulanyah said he attended the Rwakitura meeting as MP of Omoro county. He said he went to copy the best practices for his people.
Oulanyah was elected deputy speaker on May 19, having defeated Otto.
A motion for the removal of a Speaker or Deputy Speaker of Parliament must be supported by not less than two-thirds of all the voting MPs.
“The risk is real. We are worried because Oulanyah commended the most harmful thing that has affected the democracy of this country — lifting of the presidential term limits,†said Hassan Fungaroo.
He said Oulanyah would find no trouble in passing the law, denying bail to suspects of murder, rioting, economic sabotage and defilement.
The legislators told journalists that Parliament is nolonger independent following the suspension of Parliament business to allow NRM MPs hold their caucus.
Mafabi said instead of Museveni taking NRM MPs to Rwakitura, the ministry of agriculture should have addressed the same issues in Parliament.
The opposition expressed worry over Museveni’s abuse of public resources for personal and party activities.
“He is hosting MPs at State House Entebbe even when it is clearly not a state function. It is tax payers that will pay for utilities such as water used in flashing toilets used by these MPs,†Nandala said.
Ken Lukyamuzi (CP) said the 9th Parliament would jealously defend the resources of Uganda.
Mafabi also rubbished the Presidents’ call to amend the Constitution to deny bail for six months to persons suspected of offences such as murder, treason, economic sabotage, defilement, rioting and rape.
Mafabi said Museveni would fall victim of this law because he had sabotaged the economy.
“He is spending money meant for roads and drugs on issues that are not productive. The International Criminal Court should consider trying presidents who abuse public resources for personal gain,†he said.
Odonga-Otto said Ugandans have the Constitutional power to go to court and block Parliament from passing the law.