Mbabazi’s probe collapses over lack of complainant
Jul 02, 2009
IT will be a waste of time to investigate allegations that security minister Amama Mbabazi interfered in the Temangalo land probe if there is no complainant, Parliament’s committee on rules, privileges said yesterday.
By Joyce Namutebi
IT will be a waste of time to investigate allegations that security minister Amama Mbabazi interfered in the Temangalo land probe if there is no complainant.
Parliament’s committee on rules, privileges and discipline yesterday said they did not know the person complaining that Mbabazi interfered with the probe and that some MPs leaked the report to him.
“If there is nobody complaining, it will not be worth investigating,†the chairperson, Peter Nyombi, said.
Yesterday, the committee instructed its clerk to write to the Speaker, who asked for the investigation, for details.
The complaints were raised by MPs during last year’s probe into allegations that Mbabazi abused his office when he, and his business partner, Amos Nzeyi, sold land to the National Social Security Fund at an inflated price of sh11b.
MPs accused Mbabazi of holding meetings to influence members of the probe committee.
Members of the committee, which wrote a minority report exonerating Mbabazi, were also accused of leaking the report.
The majority report found Mbabazi and former finance minister Ezra Suruma guilty of breaching the leadership code, conflict of interest and influence peddling.
Both reports were tabled before Parliament. But before the debate could start, minister Adolf Mwesige concurred that the power to enforce the leadership code was with the Inspector General of Government.
Mbabazi, also the secretary general of the NRM party, dismissed accusations of interference, saying it is a witch-hunt by MPs who want to destroy the NRM.
During yesterday’s meeting, the committee also agreed to write to Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi and the Leader of the Opposition, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, to seek their views on the role of shadow ministers in committees and the plenary.
Members also agreed to meet the deputy Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, to find out whether she is interested in pursuing a settlement or complaint against Saleh Kamba (NRM), whom she accused of defamation.
The committee will also invite MP Geoffrey Ekanya (FDC) over a case he filed against MP Erias Lukwago (DP).
IT will be a waste of time to investigate allegations that security minister Amama Mbabazi interfered in the Temangalo land probe if there is no complainant.
Parliament’s committee on rules, privileges and discipline yesterday said they did not know the person complaining that Mbabazi interfered with the probe and that some MPs leaked the report to him.
“If there is nobody complaining, it will not be worth investigating,†the chairperson, Peter Nyombi, said.
Yesterday, the committee instructed its clerk to write to the Speaker, who asked for the investigation, for details.
The complaints were raised by MPs during last year’s probe into allegations that Mbabazi abused his office when he, and his business partner, Amos Nzeyi, sold land to the National Social Security Fund at an inflated price of sh11b.
MPs accused Mbabazi of holding meetings to influence members of the probe committee.
Members of the committee, which wrote a minority report exonerating Mbabazi, were also accused of leaking the report.
The majority report found Mbabazi and former finance minister Ezra Suruma guilty of breaching the leadership code, conflict of interest and influence peddling.
Both reports were tabled before Parliament. But before the debate could start, minister Adolf Mwesige concurred that the power to enforce the leadership code was with the Inspector General of Government.
Mbabazi, also the secretary general of the NRM party, dismissed accusations of interference, saying it is a witch-hunt by MPs who want to destroy the NRM.
During yesterday’s meeting, the committee also agreed to write to Prime Minister Prof. Apolo Nsibambi and the Leader of the Opposition, Prof. Ogenga Latigo, to seek their views on the role of shadow ministers in committees and the plenary.
Members also agreed to meet the deputy Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga, to find out whether she is interested in pursuing a settlement or complaint against Saleh Kamba (NRM), whom she accused of defamation.
The committee will also invite MP Geoffrey Ekanya (FDC) over a case he filed against MP Erias Lukwago (DP).