Ssekikubo censure motion doomed as speaker blocks it

By our reporter

KAMPALA

THE motion to censure four parliamentary commissioners by Lwemiyaga MP, Hon Theadore Ssekibubo is doomed after the House speaker blocked it.

In the latest development,
Annet Anita Among, has blocked the censure motion against four backbench Commissioners in the controversial 1.7 Billion shillings “service award” bonanza.

Ssekikubo and others had toiled successfully collecting signatures to support a motion to censure parliamentary commissioners Mathias Mpuuga, Prossy Akampurira, Esther Afoyochan, and Solomon Silwany whom they accuse of awarding themselves 1.7 billion shillings as a service award without the House’s approval.

They had submitted the motion to the Speaker’s office as the law requires so that the motion to be moved within 14 days after being sent to the speakers office.
But on Friday ,16 August ,the speaker wrote to Ssekikubo saying that she was constrained to take further action explained that her decision was based on several court decisions citing parliament for debating and resolving matters that courts decided on.

The speaker cited that ruling on the petition filed by Daniel Bwette against the Parliamentary Commission as one of the reasons why she was declining to process the motion.

On 12th August, the Civil Division of the Court ruled that the decision dated May 6, 2022, authorizing the payment of shillings 1.7 billion to the former Leader of Opposition, Matthias Mpuuga and three other commissioners was lawful because it was approved by Parliament and that it was part of the budget.

“Indeed article 128(3) of the constitution of the Republic Of Uganda is clear on the fact that all organs and agencies of the state shall accord courts such assistance as may be required to ensure effectiveness of court,” reads part of the letter. The Lwemiyaga MP last weeks had insisted that his motion had to go on.

He said the issues in their motion were different from what the High Court considered in the Daniel Bwette petition.

However, speaker Among said all the aspects of the matter had been dully resolved.
The public now awaits to see which move Ssekibubo and his fellow petitioners pull out.