Committee delays Mbeiza approval
Feb 24, 2009
THE parliamentary appointments committee yesterday postponed the approval of Kaliro Woman MP Kisira Mbeiza as the new economic monitoring state minister.
By Cyprian Musoke
THE parliamentary appointments committee yesterday postponed the approval of Kaliro Woman MP Kisira Mbeiza as the new economic monitoring state minister.
According to sources, the committee wanted to get further clarification from President Yoweri Museveni on the appointment.
Speaking to journalists after appearing before the committee, Mbeiza said she was fit to serve as a minister.
“I am a Ugandan of sound-mind and I ably answered their questions. I have done my part and the remaining part is for the committee to decide my fate,†she said.
Media reports recently said Mbeiza had been admitted with a mental illness.
The committee that convened to vet the new ministerial appointees, reportedly quizzed James Kakooza and Perez Ahabwe to explain their role in the National Social Security Fund Temangalo saga.
It has been speculated that their appointment was a “reward†for their loyalty to NRM secretary general Amama Mbabazi during the saga.
“They asked me about corruption and how I will stop the theft of drugs in the hospitals when I supported Amama Mbabazi in the Temangalo land saga,†Kakooza said.
“Many people had prejudged Mbabazi even before hearing him out, which I saw as injustice,†he added.
Kakooza is designated to be the primary health care state minister, replacing Dr. Emmanuel Otaala.
He said the vetting process was tough, with questions being fired at him from both the NRM and opposition MPs.
“Even those on our side were firing me tough questions. If you are not stable you can stammer throughout the session,†he said.
Also vetted yesterday were designate Aggrey Awori for information and communications technology, Henry Bagiire state minister for agriculture, the Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo for industry, Jeje Odongo state minister for defence, and Jessica Alupo (youth).
Others were public service commissioners Francis Oryang, Justice C. M. Kato (reappointment), Jamillah Kamulegeya (reappointment) and Dr. Laban Kirya and Francis Oryang. The rest are scheduled to appear today.
“For the first time I am coming to Parliament as Government. The last time I was here, I was the one asking the questions. But once I am approved, I will cause a revolution in the media,†said Awori.
He promised to introduce electronic voting in Parliament, spread tele-centres to rural areas and advocate for newspaper printing presses up-country.
Notable on the vetting committee were Speaker Edward Ssekandi, Leader of the Opposition Ogenga Latigo, Workers MP Teopista Nantongo, Zirabamuzaale Magoola, Loy Kiryapaawo, Mike Mabikke, Theodore Ssekikuubo, Livingstone Okello-Okello, Joseph Balikuddembe and Amooti Otada.
THE parliamentary appointments committee yesterday postponed the approval of Kaliro Woman MP Kisira Mbeiza as the new economic monitoring state minister.
According to sources, the committee wanted to get further clarification from President Yoweri Museveni on the appointment.
Speaking to journalists after appearing before the committee, Mbeiza said she was fit to serve as a minister.
“I am a Ugandan of sound-mind and I ably answered their questions. I have done my part and the remaining part is for the committee to decide my fate,†she said.
Media reports recently said Mbeiza had been admitted with a mental illness.
The committee that convened to vet the new ministerial appointees, reportedly quizzed James Kakooza and Perez Ahabwe to explain their role in the National Social Security Fund Temangalo saga.
It has been speculated that their appointment was a “reward†for their loyalty to NRM secretary general Amama Mbabazi during the saga.
“They asked me about corruption and how I will stop the theft of drugs in the hospitals when I supported Amama Mbabazi in the Temangalo land saga,†Kakooza said.
“Many people had prejudged Mbabazi even before hearing him out, which I saw as injustice,†he added.
Kakooza is designated to be the primary health care state minister, replacing Dr. Emmanuel Otaala.
He said the vetting process was tough, with questions being fired at him from both the NRM and opposition MPs.
“Even those on our side were firing me tough questions. If you are not stable you can stammer throughout the session,†he said.
Also vetted yesterday were designate Aggrey Awori for information and communications technology, Henry Bagiire state minister for agriculture, the Rev. Fr. Simon Lokodo for industry, Jeje Odongo state minister for defence, and Jessica Alupo (youth).
Others were public service commissioners Francis Oryang, Justice C. M. Kato (reappointment), Jamillah Kamulegeya (reappointment) and Dr. Laban Kirya and Francis Oryang. The rest are scheduled to appear today.
“For the first time I am coming to Parliament as Government. The last time I was here, I was the one asking the questions. But once I am approved, I will cause a revolution in the media,†said Awori.
He promised to introduce electronic voting in Parliament, spread tele-centres to rural areas and advocate for newspaper printing presses up-country.
Notable on the vetting committee were Speaker Edward Ssekandi, Leader of the Opposition Ogenga Latigo, Workers MP Teopista Nantongo, Zirabamuzaale Magoola, Loy Kiryapaawo, Mike Mabikke, Theodore Ssekikuubo, Livingstone Okello-Okello, Joseph Balikuddembe and Amooti Otada.