Parliament kicks off vetting of ministers

Parliament will on Tuesday start the three day vetting process of the newly appointed ministers

According to the Parliament's director for communication and public affairs, Chris Obore, the House will first converge in the morning for a special session to vet the newly appointed Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda. 

Unlike other cabinet ministers vetted and approved by the appointments committee, the Vice President and Prime Minister are vetoed by the whole House. 

Article 108 (1) of the constitution requires that the President shall, with the approval of Parliament by a simple majority, appoint a Vice President and Prime Minister.

Parliament last week approved the Vice President but postponed the vetting of Rugunda since he was reportedly out of the country.

"The House will sit in the morning and vet the Prime Minister and later the appointment committee will also sit in the afternoon to vetting the deputy prime ministers and the rest of the ministers," Obore said.

President Yoweri Museveni recently appointed his new cabinet, ending days of speculation.

In his new cabinet, the President increased the number of cabinet ministers from 78 to 80.

Sources also said the House is expected to sit on Tuesday and pass a resolution to increase the number of ministers. 

The President appointed Uganda Federal Alliance President, Beti Kamya the Kampala minister and elevated the docket which was formerly a department in the Presidency to an independent ministry. State ministers also increased from 48 to 49.

Articles 113 (2) and 114 (3) Constitution prescribes a government of only 42 ministers (Cabinet and State).

However, the same Constitution, gives the President power to increase the number of Ministers though a parliamentary approval.

Sources said NRM Caucus members want the numbers increased to 88 with more ministers appointed from less privileged regions.

A source from the appointments committee said that the newly appointed ministers belonging to the opposition may have a hurdle to jump as most members especially NRM opposed their appointment.