Parliament rejects Jeje Odong’s budget
Sep 07, 2009
PARLIAMENT may withhold approving funds for the defence state minister Gen. Jeje Odong if his portfolio is not cleared.
By Cyprian Musoke
and Mary Karugaba
PARLIAMENT may withhold approving funds for the defence state minister Gen. Jeje Odong if his portfolio is not cleared.
The MPs argued that it would be unconstitutional to approve money for an inexistent portfolio yet there are many under-funded programmes.
The House deferred appropriating figures for ministries to this week, pending reconciliation of figures by the finance ministry.
The committee on defence and internal affairs on Thursday recommended that Odong’s status be cleared before the money is approved.
“Rt. Hon. Speaker, you recall your letter to the President over the appointment of Odong as Minister of State for Defence in which you deferred his approval until the opinion of the Attorney General is sought,†read a report by Matheniko County MP Abura Pirir (NRM).
“To date, the committee is unaware of the outcome. We are constrained in appropriating resources for a minister who is not yet sworn in as an ex-officio MP.â€
Defence minister Crispus Kiyonga said the Attorney General had sent his advice to President Yoweri Museveni.
He, however, did not disclose what advice had been given. Kiyonga added that the President would decide on Odong’s fate.
Odong’s troubles began when he refused to resign as a serving army official after he was appointed as state minister.
When the matter came up before the appointments committee of Parliament, it was stayed, pending an opinion from the Attorney General.
Odong served as the environment state minister, before the country adopted a multiparty system of government.
Defence shadow minister Angiro Gutumoi cautioned MPs against passing the ministry’s budget in the absence of a state minister.
He said despite not being sworn in as minister, Odong receives a salary and allowances.
Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebaggala (DP) demanded the Attorney General’s advice be availed to Parliament.
and Mary Karugaba
PARLIAMENT may withhold approving funds for the defence state minister Gen. Jeje Odong if his portfolio is not cleared.
The MPs argued that it would be unconstitutional to approve money for an inexistent portfolio yet there are many under-funded programmes.
The House deferred appropriating figures for ministries to this week, pending reconciliation of figures by the finance ministry.
The committee on defence and internal affairs on Thursday recommended that Odong’s status be cleared before the money is approved.
“Rt. Hon. Speaker, you recall your letter to the President over the appointment of Odong as Minister of State for Defence in which you deferred his approval until the opinion of the Attorney General is sought,†read a report by Matheniko County MP Abura Pirir (NRM).
“To date, the committee is unaware of the outcome. We are constrained in appropriating resources for a minister who is not yet sworn in as an ex-officio MP.â€
Defence minister Crispus Kiyonga said the Attorney General had sent his advice to President Yoweri Museveni.
He, however, did not disclose what advice had been given. Kiyonga added that the President would decide on Odong’s fate.
Odong’s troubles began when he refused to resign as a serving army official after he was appointed as state minister.
When the matter came up before the appointments committee of Parliament, it was stayed, pending an opinion from the Attorney General.
Odong served as the environment state minister, before the country adopted a multiparty system of government.
Defence shadow minister Angiro Gutumoi cautioned MPs against passing the ministry’s budget in the absence of a state minister.
He said despite not being sworn in as minister, Odong receives a salary and allowances.
Kawempe North MP Latif Ssebaggala (DP) demanded the Attorney General’s advice be availed to Parliament.