Why is Persis Namuganza facing censure?
Days after celebrating her latest academic achievement of a diploma in Law at IUIU university, Minister of State for Lands, Persis Namuganza’s political career hangs in the balance today as she faces the prospect of censure by her parliamentary colleagues.
A least 200 legislators signed in support of a censure motion against Namuganza in December 2022.
Several charges were brought against Namuganza…
- Handling of the controversial Nakawa-Naguru land giveaway (Hon. John Amos Okot (NRM, Agago North County)led that motion.
The ad hoc committee in their report, recommended that Namuganza steps aside for falsifying a presidential directive that saw the Uganda Land Commission allocate the said land to a section of investor.
But Namuganza defended herself by arguing that parliament did not have the right to to censure her in relation to her involvement in the Naguru-Nakawa land allocations.
- It was alleged that Namuganza also took to social media and television questioning the operations, powers and integrity of the presiding officers of Parliament to form adhoc committees.
The Committee on Rules was then tasked to investigate the allegations and observed that the statements made by Namuganza on social media imputed improper motives on Parliament.
“Her statements therefore, were an affront to the dignity of Parliament; they denigrated public trust and confidence in the integrity of the Office of the Speaker, members and the institution of Parliament and brought the House and its members into disrepute,” the report read in part.
Namuganza has repeatedly declined to apologise on the floor of parliament arguing that a witch hunt is in progress. She claims that her differences with the Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among have clouded the judgment of the house at her instigation.
Namuganza says she fell afoul of Among after her husband, who is a town clerk in Makindye, allegedly nullified Among’s marriage to FUFA president Moses Magogo.
Namuganza declined to appear before a committee constituted by parliament at the direction of deputy speaker Thomas Tayebwa to probe her condition and the merits of the censure motion.
The seven member committee was chaired by Mbarara City South legislator, Mwine Mpaka (NRM). Other members included Charles Bakkabulindi, Wilfred Niwagaba, Betty Ethel Naluyima, Nancy Acora, Geoffrey Ekanya and Bumali Mpindi.
They are presenting their report to parliament today.
If MPs vote to censure her, Namuganza will lose her cabinet position but will retain her seat in parliament as Bukono County in Namutumba district representative.
This 11th parliament has 556 MPs. The censure motion needs 265 yes's to be carried and Namuganza will be censured.
