NRM MPs fight over ‘juicy’ committees

The ruling NRM party members are embroiled in a bitter quarrel over juicy committee positions in Parliament.
The MPs have accused their NRM leaders of sectarianism and talked of “juicy committees” being allocated to their colleagues from Central and Western Uganda.

The latest development in the fight was witnessed in the quarrel between Kyankwanzi Woman MP Ann Maria Nankabirwa, and her counterpart of Kiboga, Ms Ruth Nankabirwa who also doubles as the government chief whip. Ms Nankabirwa of Kyankwanzi accuses her senior colleague of political sabotage.

“I am an elected member of parliament, I should be accorded the right to represent my people,” said Ann Nankabirwa (Kyankwanzi).
Speaking with tears in her eyes, the MP on Tuesday evening narrated how the government chief whip transferred her from the Committee of Natural Resources, the only sessional committee she had applied for, to the committee of Science and Technology where she said she has no competence.

The decision, the Kyankwanzi MP said, was to put her in a committee where she would lose visibility, and thus fall prey to her opponents back home.
But her namesake, the government chief whip dismissed the allegations.

“Madam Speaker, we have a system we follow in the NRM where I consult everybody including the speaker and the Prime Minister before I submit the names to Central Executive Committee for approval,” Ms Nankabirwa said.

The Government Chief Whip explained that she was troubled by the fact that her Kyankwanzi colleague only applied for one committee, which ended up being oversubscribed.

“There are many MPs who have been designated on committees which are not their first choice; that is why I ask colleagues to send me at least three choices,” said the Chief Whip.
“Where you deliberately give me one choice, I designate you anywhere,” she added.

Whereas the Kiboga MP acknowledged there was “something relating to local politics,” she said she advocated for the creation of Kyankwanzi and she has no interest in the new district.
Aruu County South MP Odonga Otto said that the development was “so shameful.”

MP Otto said whereas he is not a member of the ruling party, the NRM should at least respect the Constitution and at least not subject the Kyankwanzi legislator to what he called “forced labour.”

“This situation before the house is a very peculiar; the Constitution is clear and no one should be subjected to forced labour,” said Mr Otto.

Another MP Mr Richard Othieno Okoth (NRM, West Budama) accused the Chief Whip of biased selection.
He said Ms Nankabirwa (whip) uses her position against those she perceives to be enemies.

“If you have a problem with me, you are supposed to give me a chance of reply; today it is Hon Ann Maria Nankabirwa complaining but there are many here that are silently watching,” Mr Okoth said.
He said that it is for this reason that many members choose not to attend committee meetings.

Mr Okoth’s position was supported by Terego West MP Moses Angundru, also NRM. He also accused chief whip of sectarianism.

The MP said that “juicy committees” were carefully given to legislators from the Central and Western regions of the country. The speaker said she did not attend the ruling party meeting referred to.

Ms Kadaga however, requested for some time to study the complaints and promised to give her ruling today.

[email protected]