I am the head of Parliament, Kadaga tells LoP
Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga and Leader of Opposition Betty Aol Ochan
What you need to know:
- The speaker said that there would be nothing wrong with the current committee to be given up to the end of February to write their report.
- Opposition’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) appointed Mr Munyagwa to replace Katuntu as COSASE chairperson while Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante is the new vice chairperson in waiting, to replace Bukedea Woman MP Anita Among.
PARLIAMENT: The Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has maintained her position to have Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu serve until the tail end of the committee probing into the closure of several commercial banks by Central Bank.
This comes after a wide spate of tension about the proposed changes of the committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) leadership, with the leader of opposition Ms Betty Aol Ochan rejecting all proposals to extend the tenure to allow members led by Kawempe South Member of Parliament Mubarak Munyagwa take over.
To this, the Speaker in a press conference at Parliament on Thursday said, Ms Aol was in a difficult position, without any chances of implementing what she tells the media.
The speaker, however, says her position stands and no one can alter it.
“I am the speaker of the House, I am the head of this institution and my proposal is good for the institution,” Ms Kadaga said.
COSASE is currently winding up its probe into the alleged illegal sale of seven commercial banks, by the Bank of Uganda, and according to the Speaker, the current leadership should continue until a report is produced.
“COSASE is winding up on the BoU investigation. We expect them to write a report and hand it over to the House before they move,” said Kadaga.
She said she was not opposed to the changes but the Katuntu-led-committee was at a critical stage and handing over the process to another person will most certainly jeopardise the committee work.
Opposition’s Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) appointed Mr Munyagwa to replace Katuntu as COSASE chairperson while Rubaga North MP Moses Kasibante is the new vice chairperson in waiting, to replace Bukedea Woman MP Anita Among.
The speaker said that there would be nothing wrong with the current committee to be given up to the end of February to write their report.
She said all other committees will end on January 13, 2018 as scheduled but COSASE, given its task before hand, will have to be given more time.
The Speaker’s position strikes a clear position to the debate on what is next for COSASE when parliament resumes business next Tuesday.
