By Frank Kamuntu
In a significant shake-up, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has dismissed at least 11 chairpersons of Sectoral Committees for the 2024/25 session, signaling a strong stance against corruption in Parliament. Sectoral Committees, which serve for one session concurrent with the financial year, had their leadership approved on Wednesday following the opening of the 4th Session of the 11th Parliament by President Yoweri Museveni on June 6.
Ahead of the approval process, the NRM’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) conducted thorough background checks on the legislators who have been chairing these committees. The leadership of Sectoral Committees, unlike standing committees chaired by the opposition, is reserved for the ruling party.
Retained & Replaced Chairpersons
Government Chief Whip Denis Obua announced that only four committee chairpersons retained their positions:
- Wilson Kajwengye (Nyabushozi County), Committee on Defense and Internal Affairs
- Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (Bardege-Layibi Division), Committee on Public Service and Local Government
- Dan Kimosho (Kazo County), Committee on Physical Infrastructure
- Amos Kankunda (Rwampara County), Committee on Finance
These chairpersons, having completed their first session, will continue with some changes in their deputies. Kajwengye and Kimosho will retain their deputies, Linos Ngompek (Kibanda North) and Tony Ayo (Nwoya County), respectively. However, Kankunda and Mapenduzi will work with new deputies after Jane Pacuto and Christine Apolot were not retained. Moses Aleper (Chekwii County) will deputize Kankunda, while Mapenduzi’s new deputy is yet to be named.
Major Changes In Committee Leadership
Several long-serving chairpersons were replaced, including:
- Janet Okori-Moe (Abim District), long-time Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, replaced by Linda Agnes Auma (Lira District)
- Robina Rwakoojo Gureme (Gomba West), Chairperson of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee, dropped along with her deputy Yusuf Mutembuli (Bunyole East). John Teira (Bugabula South) was named Vice Chairperson, with the chairperson role to be filled later.
- Moses Magogo, Chairperson of the Committee on Information and Communication Technology, sanctioned by the U.S. Government, was replaced by his deputy, Tony Ayoo (Kwania County).
Other significant changes include:
- Jessica Ababiku (Adjumani District), Chairperson of the Presidential Affairs Committee, and her deputy, Naome Kabasharira (Rushenyi County), were both dropped.
- Emmanuel Otala (West Budama South) and his deputy Nathan Igeme Nabeta (Jinja East), leaders of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, were replaced by Feta Geoffrey (Ayivu East) as deputy chairperson.
- Mwine Mpaka (Mbarara South), Chairperson of the Committee on Tourism and Trade, was replaced by Catherine Lamwaka (Omoro District) who now chairs the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Lamwaka’s previous role was taken over by Boniface Okot (Northern Uganda Youth).
- Dr. Charles Ayume (Koboko Municipality), Chairperson of the Committee on Health, was replaced, with Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti (Kole North) retained as deputy chairperson. The new chairperson is yet to be named.
- John Ntamuhira Twesigye (Bunyaruguru County), Chairperson of the Committee on Education and Sports, was replaced, with deputy chairperson James Kubeketerya (Bunya West) temporarily taking over.
- Flavia Kabahenda (Kyegegwa District), Chairperson of the Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development, and her deputy, Sarah Najjuma (Nakaseke District), were both replaced.
Future Leadership & Recess
Obua announced that the ruling party will finalize the leadership of the remaining committees within two weeks. Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament adjourned the House until July 23, allowing legislators to engage with their electorates ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Motion Of Censure
The one-month recess raises questions about the motion of censure against four backbench Commissioners accused of corruption. Lwemiyaga County MP Theodore Ssekikubo’s motion, which requires 177 signatures, remains pending, adding urgency to the efforts to address the corruption allegations involving a controversial service award of UGX 1.7 billion.
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