Govt asked to explain omubudsman's fate

Apr 21, 2009

PARLIAMENT yesterday asked the Government to explain the fate of the Inspectorate of Government (IGG). <br>Amid heated debate, ethics minister Nsaba Buturo explained that Justice Faith Mwondha and her deputy Raphael Baku were on leave.

By Catherine Bekunda,
Anne Mugisa
and Cyprian Musoke


PARLIAMENT yesterday asked the Government to explain the fate of the Inspectorate of Government (IGG).
Amid heated debate, ethics minister Nsaba Buturo explained that Justice Faith Mwondha and her deputy Raphael Baku were on leave.

Kibanda county MP Owor Otada inquired whether the office was vacant or not. The MPs also demanded to know if President Yoweri Museveni had renewed Mwondha’s contract despite her refusal to be vetted by Parliament.

“For two weeks, there has been a lot of debate on the matter and it is bringing confusion in the country. Some people think that this woman of God is being fought by Parliament,” said Otada.

The MPs also demanded to know what the Government was doing about a constitutional petition filed against the Attorney General over his legal advice to have the IGG and her deputy re-vetted.

The petition was filed by an NGO, Legal Brains Trust, headed by Kampala lawyer Bob Nturwabakye.

Deputy Attorney General Fred Ruhindi said his office was ready to take on the petitioners.

The Attorney General, Khiddu Makubuya, yesterday filed a response to the petition, denying the NGO’s accusations. It bore Makubuya and State Attorney Jeffrey Atwine’s affidavits.

Makubuya denied victimising Mwondha and Baku, saying the invitation to Parliament was a constitutional requirement.

The Prime Minister, Apolo Nsibambi, stated: “The President is considering the matter and we should pray to the Almighty God that he makes a good decision.”

Several MPs said Parliament needed assurance that the inspectorate would not collapse due the absence of leaders.
They accused Mwondha of disrespecting the Speaker.

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