MINISTER PERSIS NAMUGANZA CENSURED

By Rose Kasigwa    February 23, 2023 

The Minister of State for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Persis Namuganza, has been censured. In a tally of 356 votes, 348 voted to have the minister censured, five MPs voted no with three abstentions.

Censured ministers do not necessarily lose their seats, although the Constitution envisages that the minister against whom such a motion is carried resigns.
“Upon a vote of censure being passed against a Minister, the President shall, unless a Minister resigns his or her office, take appropriate action in the matter,” reads Article 118(2) of the Constitution.

The committee chaired by Mwine Mpaka Mp, Mbarara city    that investigated the minister misconduct found her guilty where Namuganza gave various media interviews which law makers found reckless and disrespectful to the institution of parliament. Namuganza was quoted describing the committees of parliament as a torture chamber. This followed after parliament formed an adhoc committee to investigate Namuganza involvement in disputed Nakawa- Naguru give away to some investors.

The minister declined to appear and defend herself in both the committee and in the parliament, choosing to instead say the matter is before court and therefore sub-judice, a view repeated by her lawyers who sought to halt the proceedings on the same ground.

Sheema district woman Mp Rosemary Nyakikongoro and a member of Uganda Women Parliamentary group an umbrella organization that brings Uganda women Law makers together said for a long time the women crusade is Uganda has been calling for the increase of election of women in national leadership positions however, added that it is unfortunate when some of them attain such positions they abuse their authority and powers.

“we sent a group of  parliamentary prayer fellowship to try and talk to  minister Namuganza but she did not open up for them, she abused members of parliament and isolated herself and therefore with such a behavior she cannot be able to mentor other women, “said Nyakikongoro

 Nyakikongoro, who voted in favor of the motion,    said that minister Namuganza was out of context when she brought in the private life of speaker Annet Among by discussing her marriage issues in public. Nyakikongoro called on women, especially those in leadership positions, to always focus on a bigger picture than trivializing leadership.

Nebbi district woman mp, Agnes Acibu noted that she voted in favor of the censor motion to minister Namuganza because she failed to show remorse after making a mistake she attributed this to the minister arrogance.

“As women and mothers of the nation we need to groom our daughters at an early stage by teaching them to say sorry when they are wrong, to say simple things like thank you so that when they grow up and occupy leadership positions they are not offended by such simple key issues in life,”   said Acibu.

The Speaker will, in 24 hours and pursuant to Rule 109 of the Rules of Procedure, relay to the President the decision of the House, who will ‘take appropriate action’ as required under article 118(2) of the Constitution.