Tumwebaze blasts MPs over censure plan

By Mary Karugaba

Minister for Kampala Frank Tumwebaze has told colleagues planning to censure him to go to court and help “their friend”, former Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, pursue his fate.

Responding to the censure move by MPs Abdi Chemaswet (NRM) and Gerald Karuhanga (Independent), Tumwebaze said he is not moved by the MPs’ threats “because am ready to go through the process and defend my actions.” “I can assure them that they will be ashamed. You don’t censure ministers for doing their lawful duties. That would be an abuse of the otherwise well-intentioned constitutional provision of article 118,” he said.

The two MPs on Monday started the process of censuring Tumwebaze for reportedly violating the “rule of law” while handling KCCA affairs.

The MPs submitted a notice of censure to the Clerk of Parliament, Jane Kibirige. Chemaswet although is a member of the NRM party; he was accompanied by mainly opposition MPs.

 Article 118 (1) of the Constitution states that Parliament may, by resolution supported by more than half of all members, pass a vote of censure against a minister on grounds of abuse of office or willful violation of the oath of allegiance or oath of office, misconduct or misbehaviour, mismanagement or incompetence and physical or mental incapacity .

 In their notice, the MPs accuse Tumwebaze of conducting himself in such a manner that amounted to willful violation of the oath of allegiance and the constitution by ignoring a court order, convening the Authority meeting without the Lord Mayor and denying him chance to defend himself. They advised him to resign to save time and money.