I want a deputy, says MP Munyagwa as he takes over COSASE leadership

PARLIAMENT: New COSASE chairperson Mubarak Munyagwa has assumed office with an immediate demand for a Vice Chairperson, saying it is his right.
The Kawempe South MP was Monday speaking to the media shortly after taking office from Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu.
“I need a vice chair, that is my right. I need a vice chair, I have to save time to do my own things,” added Mr Munyagwa.
The MP said he will continue engaging Speaker Rebecca Kadaga and the Leader of Opposition, Ms Betty Aol over the matter.
During the reshuffle announced by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party President Patrick Amuriat, Mr Moses Kasibante (Rubaga South MP) was named as Munyagwa’s deputy.

However, Ms Kadaga, the patron of Independent MPs instead designated Mr Kasibante to the House Committee on Appointments.
Efforts by the opposition leadership in Parliament to overturn the Speaker’s decision have all proved futile, leaving the position of Vice Chairperson vacant.
Asked whether he was agitated, Mr Munyagwa replied…“Feeling what, we have been in these positions before, I am a former mayor [and] we used to hold meetings.”
The MP said that as Mayor for Kawempe Division (between 2011 and 2016), he presided over one of the biggest councils in Kampala with 45 councilors out of whom 33 were from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party.

“I don’t see anything new,” said Munyagwa.
He added, “Once someone prepares their mind to become a member of a Parliament and once you become an MP it means you have got enough orientation to become anything in this country.”
He emphasised that he has enough experience to steer the committee that watches over Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises to the right direction.

Katuntu cautions
Mr Katuntu advised his successor to maintain the “standard set by COSASE” when it comes to oversight.
He said that “this committee is one of the most active committees of Parliament and I think you will find it very interesting and keep it as such.”

He also cautioned Mr Munyagwa about the inherent challenge of every chairperson of the committee.
“Every chairperson who comes over inherits backlog, you are not going to create backlog, it is already there,” said Mr Katuntu.
He said that the MP should not look at having so many reports, but instead prioritise by picking out on areas where huge sums of money are involved.
It is this kind of prioritisation that has seen the committee only handle 14 entities out of over 112 Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises.

“The reason as to why we took a lot of time with the Handshake is not about the Shs6 billion, but the critical position of oil and gas sector within our economy and the future of our economy,” said Mr Katuntu.
He said that he is now confident that public servants charged with the oil and gas sector are clearly aware of the risks involved, if they chose to simply share Ugandan money amongst themselves.

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