NTV has learned that the National Executive Committee of the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change has recommended the withdrawal of Bukedea District Woman MP Anita Among as Vice-chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE). COSASE as an accountability committee does oversight on government parastatals on the basis of the Auditor General’s reports. The committee is led by the opposition side in Parliament.
According to Opposition’s Chief Whip and FDC’s Spokesperson Ibrahim Semujju Nganda, Among was for all intents and purposes a member of the NRM ruling party and could no longer hold it accountable. “At the time Hon. Anite was appointed to Deputize Hon. Katuntu on COSASE, first of all, her background was that she was FDC but as increasingly as everybody sees she has become more NRM than NRM. You cannot hold the government to account when you are part of the government.” “I was nominated by FDC that is fine, it is not doubtable but a designation of a Member of Parliament who is an Independent lie on the Speaker. And that member can only be removed from office by the Speaker.”
Among former FDC Deputy Treasurer was elected as an Independent MP representing Women in Bukedea district. In September last year at the height of a debate on the Constitutional amendment Bill to remove the Presidential age limit and other provisions, Among hosted President Museveni in Bukedea. She appeared at several fora with the President including in Kasese district at a fundraising event, this angered her highest Opposition colleagues. “My being close to President Museveni cannot stop me from doing my work and removing me from COSASE cannot stop me from being close to President Museveni, the two have no relationship.”
Semujju told NTV that the FDC’s Secretary General has been instructed to forward to the Speaker the name of Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa as Among’s replacement since it is FDC that seconded the MP to the Committee in the first place. “Therefore the party President nominated Hon. Mubarak Munyagwa and he was approved by the NEC to now be the Deputy Chairperson on Committee of COSASE. The Secretary-General was asked to write to the leadership of Opposition in the Parliament to communicate that decision.” “I don’t regret being close to President Museveni, he is the President of Uganda, he is the fountain of honor and nobody will stop me from being close to him. I am an Independent Member of Parliament and of course, I know it hurts them but they equally frustrated me. They refused to nominate me under the FDC Ticket. Actually refusing to give me a ticket was a blessing in disguise.” According to the Parliamentary rules of procedure, a member of a standing Committee like COSASE is supposed to serve for 2.5 years.
