Speaker warns MP Nambooze over absenteeism

KAMPALA. The Speaker of Parliament has warned of disciplinary action against Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze over her continued absence from Parliament despite her poor health.

Nambooze was flown to India in November last year for specialised management of injuries she suffered to her backbone during the age-limit debate scuffle that erupted in Parliament on September 27, 2017.

Although she was able to walk and stand again after her return, Ms Nambooze said she stayed away due to pain and discomfort from the metals inserted into her back, preventing her from executing her parliamentary duties.

But Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga in her June 7, 2018 letter to Ms Nambooze warned: “It has come to my notice that in the last session, you absented yourself from nineteen (19) out of the twenty three (23) meetings of the committee on Public Service and Local Government without permission. This is contrary to Rule 111(6) and 112(1 &2) of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament.”

In the same letter, Ms Kadaga said Ms Nambooze’s continued absence from the committee affected its work and undermined the performance of Parliament in general, noting that most of the work in plenary comes from committees.

“This is, therefore, to notify you that persistent absence from committee activities in the next session will attract disciplinary action proceedings against you under Rules 111(7) and 112(2) of the Rules of Procedures of Parliament.”
The letter is copied to the committee chairperson.

But Ms Nambooze, who confirmed receipt of the letter, expressed dismay, saying she had endeavoured to communicate whenever she was to leave Parliament and the Speaker has been aware of her poor health.

“I have been sick since September last year and got the letter two days ago even when it is dated June 7. But the most important thing is; I have been ill and even in June they were not supposed to fault me,” she said.

“As indicated in the letter I have written to the Speaker, this letter was sent to me erroneously and I think in normal circumstances, the Parliament spokesperson would apologise for sending this letter,” Ms Nambooze told Journalists yesterday at Bugolobi Medical Centre in Kampala just before leaving to India for further treatment.

Daily Monitor received information that some other MPs received similar warning letters on absenteeism but it could not be officially verified as Parliament’s director of communication Chris Obore declined to comment on the matter. He said he could only comment on such letters to MPs when given authority from the Speaker.

Ms Nambooze for the second time yesterday left for Manipal Hospital in India following what she called her brutal arrest by the police on charges of inciting violence after the death of Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga on June 8, 2018. She was accompanied by her husband, and personal doctor.

Ms Nambooze says her second brutal arrest inflicted more injuries on her back, worsened her old condition and displaced one of the screws inserted in her back.

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