Ssekikubo accuses Parliament official of sabotaging censure motion

Lwemiyaga County MP, Theodore Ssekikubo has accused Ahmed Kagoye, the Sergeant at Arms at Parliament, of ordering the removal of a table and chairs he was using to collect signatures for a censure motion.

This motion aims to recall four commissioners over the Shs1.7 billion Service Award.

Ssekikubo compared Kagoye's actions to terrorism.

In a press briefing at Parliament, Ssekikubo warned Kagoye against interfering with MPs' activities and using underhanded tactics to thwart the motion.

He also claimed that Kagoye had abandoned his office and was not answering his calls.

"The person who removed this table acted to kill this motion, but it is still ongoing. I will seek clarification from the Speaker and ask the Sergeant at Arms and Clerk to Parliament who authorized the table's removal. Soon, I will use the table from the Sergeant at Arms' office for my censure motion," said Ssekikubo.

He emphasized that he was not begging but fulfilling his duty as an MP.

"As long as I am still here and have not ended the signature collection, they should not remove the table. I am still collecting signatures and do not need to beg for the table," Ssekikubo added.

He recounted several challenges the motion has faced, including allegations of stolen signatures and attempts to steal the file.

Ssekikubo expressed surprise at the table's removal, which he had been using to gather signatures.

"I am trying to reach the Sergeant at Arms to understand why he removed the table and chairs while the motion is still active. I urge him not to interfere in MPs' affairs," he stated.

In response, Asuman Basalirwa, MP for Bugiri Municipality, dismissed Ssekikubo's complaints.

He noted that the Rules of Procedure do not mandate that signatures for a censure motion must be collected at Parliament.

He suggested that Ssekikubo could collect signatures from his office or at other locations, such as an upcoming thanksgiving ceremony by Mathias Mpuuga.

"The Rules of Procedure do not require that signatures be collected at a table in Parliament. If you cannot use the foyer, go to your office," Basalirwa said.

He added that MPs could provide their signatures anywhere, including events outside Parliament.

Basalirwa also argued that Ssekikubo’s censure motion was ineffective because the Shs1.7 billion Service Award had been approved by Parliament.

"To alter such a decision, you need a substantive motion, not a censure motion," he explained.

He reiterated that the decision to approve the Service Award was made by Parliament and could only be changed by a substantive motion.