MPs petition President over IGG standoff
Aug 26, 2008
PARLIAMENT yesterday finally passed the Inspectorate of Government’s budget. However, the MPs agreed to petition President Yoweri Museveni over the repeated failure by the Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha, to appear before them personally to defend the budget.
By Joyce Namutebi
and Cyprian Musoke
PARLIAMENT yesterday finally passed the Inspectorate of Government’s budget. However, the MPs agreed to petition President Yoweri Museveni over the repeated failure by the Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha, to appear before them personally to defend the budget.
The Prime Minister and leader of Government business in Parliament, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, made the suggestion to petition.
He was reacting to the report of the committee on legal and parliamentary affairs on the budget of the justice ministry.
Committee chairman Stephen Tashobya had informed the House that although they had raised issues requiring Mwondha’s answers, they had failed to meet her.
He said they, therefore, did not comment on the inspectorate’s sh16.2b budget for this financial year.
Mwondha, Tashobya pointed out, went on annual leave after the MPs had asked her to meet them.
Nsibambi appealed to the MPs not to punish the institution because of an individual.
“I suggest that we pass this budget. The individual can be dealt with by the Speaker interfacing with the appointing authority,†he said.
“If we don’t pass the budget, we may be misunderstood.â€
The leader of opposition, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, concurred, saying Parliament did not intend to punish the inspectorate. But he appealed to Mwondha to review her stand because “working like this is undermining that office.â€
Okello-Okello (UPC) asked whether there was a specific rule requiring Mwondha to appear in person.
But Margaret Muhanga (NRM) said the media had quoted the judge as having said she had defied the calls to appear “because she believes that MPs are dangerously idle.â€
and Cyprian Musoke
PARLIAMENT yesterday finally passed the Inspectorate of Government’s budget. However, the MPs agreed to petition President Yoweri Museveni over the repeated failure by the Inspector General of Government, Justice Faith Mwondha, to appear before them personally to defend the budget.
The Prime Minister and leader of Government business in Parliament, Prof. Apolo Nsibambi, made the suggestion to petition.
He was reacting to the report of the committee on legal and parliamentary affairs on the budget of the justice ministry.
Committee chairman Stephen Tashobya had informed the House that although they had raised issues requiring Mwondha’s answers, they had failed to meet her.
He said they, therefore, did not comment on the inspectorate’s sh16.2b budget for this financial year.
Mwondha, Tashobya pointed out, went on annual leave after the MPs had asked her to meet them.
Nsibambi appealed to the MPs not to punish the institution because of an individual.
“I suggest that we pass this budget. The individual can be dealt with by the Speaker interfacing with the appointing authority,†he said.
“If we don’t pass the budget, we may be misunderstood.â€
The leader of opposition, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, concurred, saying Parliament did not intend to punish the inspectorate. But he appealed to Mwondha to review her stand because “working like this is undermining that office.â€
Okello-Okello (UPC) asked whether there was a specific rule requiring Mwondha to appear in person.
But Margaret Muhanga (NRM) said the media had quoted the judge as having said she had defied the calls to appear “because she believes that MPs are dangerously idle.â€