Large Majority Approves Kazibwe

By Richard Mutumba And Joyce Namutebi PARLIAMENT yesterday overwhelmingly approved the nomination of Dr. Speciosa Kazibwe as the Vice-President. Two hundred and twenty-nine out of 262 MPs present voted for her approval. The motion was moved by National Political Commissar and MP for Mbale Municipality James Wapakhabulo. Thirty MPs opposed the motion, which was seconded by the Kitgum Women MP, Jane Akwero Odwong. Voting on the motion was by secret ballot. Speaker Edward Ssekandi presided over the exercise. President Yoweri Museveni on Sunday nominated Kazibwe, the MP for Kigulu South, for the post of Vice-President in a Cabinet reshuffle in which he also nominated Prof. Apollo Nsibambi minister. Museveni also appointed former Speaker Francis Ayume, Attorney General. The appointments are subject to approval by Parliament. Before debate on the motion started, MPs requested that Kazibwe leave the House in order for them to debate freely. She complied after listening to the mover and seconder of the motion. Makindye East MP Michael Mabikke vehemently opposed the motion for approval of Kazibwe, saying she had no moral strength to fight incompetence and corruption. "We don't want a Vice-President who is a paper tiger. Has she got the guts, stamina and moral strength to act in the absence of the President? Unless I am satisfied that she has these attributes, I withhold my approval," he said. Justifying his motion, Wapakhabulo said Kazibwe was the right person for the post because she meets all the constitutional requirements. He said as required by the Constitution, Kazibwe was a Ugandan by birth, an MP and well educated. Mondo Kagonyera (Rubabo); Jennifer Namuyangu (Pallisa); Winnie Byanyima (Mbarara Municipality); Patrick Mwondha (Bukooli North); Bakoko Zoe Ze (Ayivu); Odonga Otto (Aruu); and Betty Amongi supported the motion. Odonga Otto said Kazibwe with all the valley dams scandal was not the best, but rather better. He said Museveni should stop a one-man show, saying people would like to see some other faces. Patrick Mwondha said any decision taken by the Seventh Parliament would be important because this House will mould tomorrow's Uganda. "Movement or parties alone will not do it alone, we will have to do it together," he added. Mawokota North MP Peter Claveri Mutuluuza amused members when he stood up even before Wapakhabulo spoke about his motion, and said the House ought to address the issue of equal sharing of the national cake. He was ruled out of order by Ssekandi, who said members would be given an opportunity later to make contribution. Voting by secret ballot had earlier been opposed by some MPs like Sam Kutesa (Mawogola) who argued that since the majority of members had supported the motion, there was no need to hide their decision by voting secretly. Ends