Parliament vets, clears seven new ministers
The Appointments Committee of Parliament has vetted and cleared seven new ministers who were recently appointed by President Museveni to his cabinet.
Having earlier cleared Jessica Alupo and Robinah Nabbanja as Vice President and Prime Minister, parliament then turned focus on the new ministers.
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The committee chaired by the deputy Speaker, Anita Among started with the Education and Sports Minister, Janet Kataaha Museveni who appeared before via zoom.
She was later cleared.
Later other ministers including Rebecca Kadaga(1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs ), Gen Moses Ali(2nd Deputy Prime Minister), Thomas Tayebwa(Chief Government Whip), Rukia Nakadama(3rd Deputy Prime Minister and Minister without Port-folio), Jim Muhwezi(Security) , Kiryowa Kiwanuka(Attorney General) and Justine Kasule Lumumba(General Duties) also appeared before the committee and were duly cleared.
Appointments Committee
The Appointments Committee of Parliament is chaired by the Speaker of Parliament and according to rule 155(1) of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure; the committee is responsible for approving on behalf of parliament, the appointment of persons nominated by the president.
The committee is supposed to comprise of not less than fifteen and not more than twenty members designated by party whips on the basis of proportional party membership in the House taking into consideration the numerical strength of the parties and the interests of Independent members.
The appointments made by the president may be under the Constitution or any other appointment required to be approved by parliament.
The Speaker of Parliament, who is the chair, receives the list of names nominated for appointment on behalf of the committee.
A name is considered approved by the committee if the votes cast in favour of that candidate constitute a simple majority of the committee members present.
Members
The members of the committee are Gen Peter Elwelu(UPDF), John Baptist Nambeshe, Aisha Kabanda and Joseph Ssewungu all from the National Unity Platform whereas former Leader of Opposition Betty Aol Ochan and Isaias Ssasaga will represent Forum for Democratic Change on the committee.
Others are Alum Santa Sandra(UPC), Peter Okot(DP),Asuman Basaalirwa (JEEMA) and Santa Okot(PPP).
From the ruling NRM party, are 22 MPs on the committee including Joyce Moriku Kaducu, Frank Tumwebaze,Okullu Abuka, Betty Engola, Rose Akello, Dr. Florence Assimwe, Sarah Mateke, Arinaitwe Rwakajara, Fred Kambale, Diana Mutansingwa and Sarah Najjuma.
Others are David Kabanda, Robinah Rwakojo, Cissy Namuju, James Kubeketeriya, Denis Orone, Patrick Aeku, Irene Muloni, Fadil Twalla, Alex Ndezi, Benard Odoi and Catherine Mavenjina.
