MPs Approve Kasenene

Jul 20, 2001

VETTING of ministers by Parliament ended yesterday with the approval of 18 ministers of state including Prof. Peter Kasenene, whose approval was withheld on Thursday.

By Richard Mutumba and Joyce Namutebi VETTING of ministers by Parliament ended yesterday with the approval of 18 ministers of state including Prof. Peter Kasenene, whose approval was withheld on Thursday. This brought the total numbers of ministers and ministers of state approved by the committee on appointments to 63. The committee is still waiting for Major Roland Kakooza Mutale to appear before it. The President will announce appointment of ministers and ministers of state as soon as he gets communication from the Speaker of Parliament, Edward Ssekandi, regarding approved nominees. Mutale, who is the Special Presidential Assistant on Political Affairs, turned down his nomination on Wednesday. "The committee is still waiting for Kakooza Mutale to appear. We cannot go by press reports," a source said. Sources said according to the committee, there had been no communication both to them or to the President's Office saying he had turned down his nomination. However, State House confirmed yesterday that the President accepted Mutale's decision not to take up the appointment but had not yet communicated to Parliament. Kasenene was cleared because the allegations against him could not be substantiated. It had been alleged that he was one of the Catholic leaders who vehemently opposed the Primary Teachers' Colleges restructuring programme saying it was intended to marginalise Catholics. A source said the First Deputy Premier and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eriya Kategaya and the Minister of State for Regional Cooperation, Amama Mbabazi, were approved in absentia. The ministers of state approved yesterday were Richard Nduhura (Igara East) who is alleged to have voted twice during the parliamentary elections. Nduhura appeared with a clearance from the DPP, a source said. Others are Ruth Nankabirwa (Woman Kiboga), Okumu Ringa (Padyere), Kibirige Sebunya (Kyadondo North); Abel Rwendeire (Rubanda East); Andruale Awuzu (Vura); Michael Werikhe (Bunghoko South); Henry Obbo (West Budaama North); Jovino Akaki (Maruzi); Tim Lwanga (Kyamuswa); Daudi Migereko (Butembe); Baguma Isoke (Buyanja); Kezimbira Miyingo (Bukoto mid west); Christine Aporu (Woman Kumi) and Mary Mugenyi (Nyabushozi). Also approved were Peter Lokeris (Chekwii) and C.K. Bataringaya (Bwamba). The nominees said they were ready to serve in any capacity. They thanked Museveni for having confidence in them to serve this country. Ends

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