By Patriot Corps
Members of the ruling NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) on Tuesday halted the approval of MPs nominated to lead parliamentary sectoral committees and instead subjected them to a rigorous corruption aptitude test.
President Museveni excused himself from the meeting, making 1st National Vice Chairperson Hajji Moses Kigongo, known for his tough stance on parliamentary leadership, the chair. The CEC meeting, held a day after three party members were detained over corruption-related charges, took an unusual direction.
Typically, the CEC would formally and summarily approve the names submitted. However, on Tuesday, the names were subjected to a three-day thorough security check to assess the moral conduct of the nominees.
“CEC had always been reluctant on committee leadership since Parliament is headed by NRM Members, but our trust has been abused. We need to take full charge now,” said a source.
The NRM Director of Communication, Emmanuel Dombo, confirmed the development, stating, “Yes, CEC had a meeting today chaired by our 1st National Vice Chairman. The agenda was on the committee leadership of Parliament and another sitting will be on Friday to conclude.”
The committees include Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries; Defence and Internal Affairs; East African Community Affairs; Education and Sports; Environment and Natural Resources; Finance, Planning and Economic Development; Foreign Affairs; and Gender, Labour and Social Development.
Others are the Committees on Health; Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance; Legal and Parliamentary Affairs; Presidential Affairs; Public Service and Local Government; Tourism, Trade and Industry; and Physical Infrastructure.
On Monday, police detained the Legal Committee vice chairperson, Yusuf Mutembuli; Lwengo Woman MP, Cissy Namujju; and Busiki County MP, Paul Akamba. They are expected to appear before the Anti-Corruption Court magistrate on Wednesday and could be remanded to Luzira maximum security prison.
All arrested lawmakers belong to the ruling NRM party. Their arrests followed revelations by Museveni during the State of the Nation Address that there is proof against corrupt officials in the Ministry of Finance and Parliament.
“I have been hearing that from the Ministry of Finance, they collude with accounting officers of ministries to come to Parliament working with some people there to provide certain funds, provided you take a share. I didn’t believe this but now I have proof,” said Museveni on Thursday.
source : chimp reports.