MPs Clash Over Defence
Jul 23, 2003
TEMPERS flared in the parliamentary committee on defence and internal affairs yesterday, when a member said the committee had been pocketed by the Ministry of Defence.
By Edith Kimuli
TEMPERS flared in the parliamentary committee on defence and internal affairs yesterday, when a member said the committee had been pocketed by the Ministry of Defence.
Odonga Otto (Aruu) said the committee was not doing its work. He said he would move a motion for its dissolution.
“The strength the committee that probed the junk helicopters had is the same we should have. We cannot do anything about ghost soldiers! What is the use of this committee? I am going to move a motion that this committee be dissolved,†Otto said.
He lashed out at the committee leaders, saying he was going to write a protest letter to the Speaker. “How can you conduct business like that. You delegate on the door-way,†Otto said after the committee chairperson, Simon Mayende (Samya Bugwe South) had just moved out of the meeting room.
He said despite his request for the committee to visit eastern Uganda after a rebel attack, the members had not responded.
Otto said, “I have not seen this committee going to the north to camp there.
“I can’t fit in anybody’s pocket,†Benedict Etonu (Amuria)responded as he got up to leave. He, however, stayed as Otto stormed out.
Kule Muranga (Busongora North), who was chairing the committee, told Otto that they had just finalised discussing the eastern trip, which they would embark on on Tuesday. Otto missed the information because he came late. He came in about an hour after the deliberations had started.
Nyombi Tembo (Kasanda South), said, “The popularist approach to things should not be allowed just because a member wants to hit the headlines. He should withdraw his statement.â€
Ends
TEMPERS flared in the parliamentary committee on defence and internal affairs yesterday, when a member said the committee had been pocketed by the Ministry of Defence.
Odonga Otto (Aruu) said the committee was not doing its work. He said he would move a motion for its dissolution.
“The strength the committee that probed the junk helicopters had is the same we should have. We cannot do anything about ghost soldiers! What is the use of this committee? I am going to move a motion that this committee be dissolved,†Otto said.
He lashed out at the committee leaders, saying he was going to write a protest letter to the Speaker. “How can you conduct business like that. You delegate on the door-way,†Otto said after the committee chairperson, Simon Mayende (Samya Bugwe South) had just moved out of the meeting room.
He said despite his request for the committee to visit eastern Uganda after a rebel attack, the members had not responded.
Otto said, “I have not seen this committee going to the north to camp there.
“I can’t fit in anybody’s pocket,†Benedict Etonu (Amuria)responded as he got up to leave. He, however, stayed as Otto stormed out.
Kule Muranga (Busongora North), who was chairing the committee, told Otto that they had just finalised discussing the eastern trip, which they would embark on on Tuesday. Otto missed the information because he came late. He came in about an hour after the deliberations had started.
Nyombi Tembo (Kasanda South), said, “The popularist approach to things should not be allowed just because a member wants to hit the headlines. He should withdraw his statement.â€
Ends