Saleh wants finance

May 24, 2006

“I prefer the finance ministry,” Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh), one of the 68 Cabinet nominees, said this yesterday after appearing before Parliament’s Appointment Committee.

By John Odyek and Joyce Namutebi

“I prefer the finance ministry,” Gen. Caleb Akandwanaho (Salim Saleh), one of the 68 Cabinet nominees, said this yesterday after appearing before Parliament’s Appointment Committee.

“The finance ministry is a means to end poverty that has been here. The real challenge facing people in Uganda is access to credit, access to finance and markets. I am willing to serve anywhere to do with fighting poverty and adding value,” Saleh told the New Vision in the VIP Lounge in the Parliament Building.

Saleh, who was dressed in a gray suit and looked relaxed, said “I am excited by the nomination. This is a challenge for me. I retired from active service in the army at the age of 29 years and I joined the reserve force. I am now 46 years and back to public service,” he said.

“The committee queried my name appearing on commissions of inquiry. I told them I am a better person, more focused and we need to move forward. That (claims of corruption) will not affect me,” he said.

Saleh spent about 23 minutes before the committee, longer than the rest of Museveni’s nominees picked on Monday. Others spent about 10 minutes or less before the committee.

Saleh said many problems were facing the country. He listed insecurity, fake land titles, unemployment, poor choices of courses in education institutions and lack of appropriate technology.

The Clerk to Parliament, Aeneas Tandekwire, distributed a list of nominees divided into four categories. Category A has 23 names of MPs who served in the Seventh Parliament. Category B has 11 names of mainly former ministers, who are said to have questionable records.

Category C has 27 names of former Cabinet ministers without queries and Category D has eight names of those who have not been in Parliament before and ex-officio MPs.

Members in Category A appeared yesterday. They included Hilary Onek, Stephen Malinga, Dorothy Hyuha, Fred Omach, Lukia Isanga, James Kinobe, Sulaiman Madada, Morris Kagimu Kiwanuka, David Wakikona, Nelson Gaggawala, Bright Rwamirama, Serapio Rukundo, Simon D’Ujanga, Ephraim Kamuntu, Alintuma Nsambu, Kasirivu Atwoki and Jessica Eriyo.

Omara Atubo, who went for burial following the killing of 14 civilians by an Amuka militiaman in his constituency, Otuke, and Jane Kabakumba, did not appear before the committee. In their place, Kirunda Kivejinja and Isaac Musumba appeared.

Many nominees said they were happy and ready to serve in any ministry.

Hyuha said she was going to retain her position as deputy NRM chairperson despite being nominated and that she would work hard on issues such as health and education. Onek said he had enough experience in public management.

Kinobe said although he lost his seat in the primaries, he had not lost faith in the NRM. He said the loss was a blessing in disguise and he was ready to serve everyone.

Gaggawala said the next Cabinet should fight corruption aggressively and improve the construction industry. Omach said his hallmark would be integrity and prudence.

Wakikona said he would like to serve in a ministry dealing with aviation and communication where he has experience.

D’Ujanga said he had solutions to the power problems in Uganda, while Nakadama said she was ready to serve in any position and was relaxed about her nomination.

Alintuma Nsambu said, “I don’t think I am worth being a minister. There are many people better than me. I will work hard not to embarrass the appointing authority.”

Eriya Kategaya is expected to appear before the committee today.

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