6 NEW VISION, Thursday, November 6, 2014 Parliament Two MPs face Govt not harassing expulsion over absenteeism By Mary Karugaba and Moses Walubiri

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Mbabazi — Rugunda Kadaga, has threatened to crack the whip on more MPs over absenteeism By Mary Karugaba from the House. and Moses Walubiri Yesterday, she sent Kyaddondo South MP Issa Kikungwe and Mityana Government is not harassing South MP Ssozi Kaddu Mukasa or prosecuting former premier to the disciplinary committee over Amama Mbabazi, the Prime absenteeism. Minister, Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda, “I am sending Issa Kikungwe and told parliament yesterday. Kaddu Mukasa to the disciplinary Speaking during Prime Minister’s committee to explain why they have question time, Rugunda said he been away from the House without the was not aware of any persecution. authority of the Speaker,” Kadaga said. “I don’t have information that my She cautioned MPs against failing to brother, Ndugu Mbabazi, is being register in the attendance book, saying persecuted by the Government. the rules may catch up with them. If there are issues that friends “The register is not for decoration. know, let them be brought forward Many of you just come and sit without because the Government will be registering and I see you,” she said. interested in investigating them,” According to the law, it is mandatory he said. for an MP to vacate his or her seat in Rugunda told the legislators Parliament if the member is absent that just like any other Ugandan, from 15 sittings without the Speaker’s Mbabazi has a right to live freely, permission and the member is unable without prejudice. to offer satisfactory explanation. The Premier was responding Having been warned by the Speaker, to concerns raised by Busongora the conduct of such a member is referred North MP William Nzoghu. to the committee on rules, privileges “Why is the Government Jack Sabiti, and discipline. Upon investigation, the persecuting Mbabazi? You are Rugunda, committee makes a report, which is continuously blocking him from Roland debated in the House and if approved, attending meetings with his Mugume the member ceases to be an MP. supporters in Masaka and other and John places. What are you doing about Byabagambi The register is not for it?” Nzoghu asked. chat before Mbabazi’s concerns were, the plenary decoration. Many of you however, raised a few seconds after yesterday. he had moved out of the chambers. Photo by Maria just come and sit, without Dressed in a blue suit, Mbabazi Wamala attended the session for only 20 registering and I see you. minutes and then left. While in the 2016 presidential elections. House, he sat quietly and listened At yesterday’s plenary, MPs also Rebecca Kadaga to his successor answer questions Between the lines: What was said in the House expressed concern over the declining on other issues from colleagues. n Why is the Government persecuting Mbabazi? You are tea prices, saying it would have a Kaddu-Mukasa is currently on sick Occasionally, he turned and continuously blocking him from attending meetings with his diverse effect on the economy being leave after he dislocated his spine. greeted or smiled at colleagues. supporters in Masaka and other places, an MP said. one of the major cash crops. Speaking on one of the radio stations When Nzoghu raised the n Rugunda told the legislators that just like any other Ugandan, Chris Baryomunsi told the yesterday, Kaddu-Mukasa said he had matter, MPs turned to his seat. Mbabazi has a right to live freely, without prejudice House that many tea factories in an accident and requested the speaker Unfortunately he had left. western Uganda had laid off staff for permission. Mbabazi was last month dropped and threatened to close due to the “When I got an accident, I sought as prime minister and replaced Mbabazi is alleged to have written to people to produce evidence that declining prices on the world market. permission from the Speaker. She told with Rugunda. A few weeks later, the American Embassy in Uganda, he had held any meeting with “The price of tea has gone down me to rest, until I am okay,’ Mukasa the NRM’s central executive asking for their support in the 2016 anyone on the issue of his alleged and many farmers are crying foul. Is said. “I hope this is not politically committee also asked him to polls. presidential bid in 2016. there any strategic intervention the motivated because barely 24 hours after take leave as secretary general. The meeting was also told that The American embassy in Government has put in place to avert I asked the Luwero resident district CEC members reportedly asked Mbabazi used his attendance of Kampala has also denied reports the crisis?” Baryomunsi asked. commissioner to pay my money, then Mbabazi to pronounce himself the recent 26th Uganda North that Mbabazi has sought US support The MPs also asked the this happens.” on his perceived presidential American Association convention in on his alleged presidential bid. Government to investigate reports New Vision could not get a comment ambitions. San Diego, California, USA, to lobby The NRM parliamentary caucus that Sri Lanka’s honorary consul from both MPs as their phones were off. During the meeting, sources American diplomats to support his in a meeting early this year passed to Uganda, Velupillai Kananathan But Bukoto East MP Florence Namayanja said President Yoweri Museveni presidential bid. a resolution endorsing Museveni as drives a car with diplomatic number told journalists at Parliament that reportedly produced a letter that But Mbabazi has since challenged their party’s “sole candidate” in the plates, which is contrary to the law. Kikungwe has been sick. “He has been sick, but his condition is stabilising,” she said. In 2011 Kikungwe had a surgery to remove a tumour in his head at Fortis Hospital in India. According to reports, the tumour, developed from a blood UPC raps Ugandans over corruption clot after an accident many years ago. The Ministry of Health paid $18,000 By Nicholas Wassajja “Government’s legitimacy and moral act with immediate effect. challenge today is corruption and it for his operation and travel expenses. authority to seek support from masses Lucima urged the media to avoid must be solved,” Bossa said While officiating at the parliamentary Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) during elections can only depend on self-censorship and highlight the He added that although history staff party last year, deputy Leader of has lashed out at Ugandans for the services delivered in the interests executive efforts to subvert checks indicates that mobilising masses Government Business in Parliament acting passively in the fight against of the people and at their knowledge and balances from the legislature against autocrats can not be defeated, Gen. Moses Ali, attacked MPs who corruption and demanding their that these are their rights.” and judiciary. “UPC wouldn’t wish the country to dodge sittings, saying they were rights. Lucima said: “It is high time The party vice-president, Joseph take the Burkina Faso path as it is fostering corruption. UPC said the level of corruption and Ugandans stopped behaving as Bossa, said misuse of public funds slippery and the country would never Rampant absenteeism has on several misuse of public funds is sending the though corruption is normal and affects service delivery and that is recover.” occasions paralysed business in the country to the dogs, but the citizens service delivery is abnormal.” why corruption is a challenge. Last week, Burkina Faso president House. Last year, renegade Army MP comfortably continue to look on. He added that political parties, “Each generation is faced with Blaise Compaore stepped down, Gen. David Sejusa lost his seat after While addressing a weekly media civil society and the media should its challenges and it is incumbent following two days of mass protests missing 15 consecutive sittings. Tonny briefing in Kampala yesterday, UPC sensitise citizens to stop tolerating upon the peers of that generation against a plan to extend his 27-year Kipoi (Bubulo west) was also expelled spokesperson Okello Lucima said: corruption and incompetency, but to address their challenges. Our rule by amending the constitution. from the House this year over absence.