Newly appointed ministers Magyezi, Obua tell off critics
Raphael Magyezi, Minister of Local Government
PARLIAMENT- Newly appointed ministers Raphael Magyezi (Local Government) and Hamson Obua (State for Sports) have brushed off critics who claim their inclusion was a political reward.
The two were on Saturday elevated to Cabinet in a shakeup that saw several ministers dropped. Critics claim that the President’s choices were informed by the success of the 2017 Constitution Amendment that repealed the 75-year age cap for presidential candidates, that was mooted by Mr Magyezi.
However, Mr Magyezi, who is also the MP for Igara West in Bushenyi District, yesterday said the critics were only unfair to his 20 years of experience in politics.
“I regard that as an insult; this is an unfair comment because it implies that if I had not moved the Bill, I would not qualify to be a minister,” he said.
“Let us respect the appointing authority in terms of the choice. I think he had his parameters, which were objective regarding the capability of a person to serve in that post,” he added.
Mr Magyezi replaces Mr Tom Butime as Minister for Local Government.
Justification
Likewise, Mr Obua, who is also the MP for Ajuri County in Alebtong District, said his appointment was achieved on merit.
“I have done a lot over the last 15 years. I have been chairperson of a parliamentary committee, spokesperson of the NRM Parliamentary Caucus, Parliament Commissioner and served as MP for three uninterrupted terms. So I think the benchmark is far beyond what can be imagined,” Mr Obua said.
The lawmaker said God was a key player in his rise to State House.
“There are 317 MPs who voted for the lifting of the age limit, I believe it is a timely appointment, a Godly one which came on merit,” Mr Obua said.
The new appointees spoke about their tasks ahead, with Mr Magyezi promising to end the stalemate surrounding the adoption of new cities.
Government has for three consecutive times failed to secure Parliament support on the creation of 15 cities. The attempts suffered a blow due to unclear boundaries for the cities and absence of a required quorum to vote for the cities.
Mr Magyezi, who in 2017 mobilised 317 MPs to pass the Age Limit Bill, said he has the magic button for the cities to be approved.
“I will engage the Speaker on this matter first but I have already demonstrated that I am able to mobilise colleagues on the motions we have so that we generate the requisite numbers,” he said.
On his part, Mr Obua said the main challenge is to lift the face of the country’s stadia and other sporting grounds.
