Published on 24/07/2024
The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has appointed James Nsaba Buturo, a renowned yet reserved legislator to lead a parliamentary committee.
As the Member of Parliament for Bufumbira East and former Minister for Ethics and Integrity, Buturo joins eight other Chairpersons and six Deputy Chairpersons as Parliament finalizes its Sectoral Committee leadership.
Dr. James Nsaba Buturo served as the Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity in the Office of the Vice President from June 1, 2006, until his resignation on March 15, 2011. His resignation was in compliance with a directive from then-Prime Minister Dr. Apolo Nsibambi, who instructed nine ministers to step aside following a Constitutional Court ruling. The court had declared it illegal for members of political parties to run as independents in parliamentary elections, and vice versa.
Out of the previous Committee Chairpersons, only four retained their positions, while 11 did not get the opportunity to lead the Committees in the 4th session of the 11th Parliament. This significant reshuffle by the NRM comes amidst allegations of grand corruption within Parliament.
President Museveni highlighted concerns over budget corruption where legislators reportedly use their committee positions to influence the budgets of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Three legislators currently face prosecution for allegedly demanding 20% of the Uganda Human Rights Commission’s budget in exchange for securing funding for its priorities.
New Chairpersons
When designating members and leaders of Sectoral Committees last month, Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua indicated that the ruling party’s CEC had not concluded the vetting process for some Committee leadership roles. Subsequently, Obua advertised nine vacant positions for Committee Chairpersons and six for Deputy Chairpersons.
In filling these vacancies, Obua appointed Nsaba Buturo as the Chairperson for the Committee on East African Community Affairs, replacing Noeline Kisembo, the Kibaale District Woman MP. Buturo will be deputized by Shartsi Musherure Kutesa, MP for Mawogola North County.
James Kubeketerya, MP for Bunya East Constituency, was promoted from Deputy Chairperson to Chairperson of the Committee on Education and Sports, while Molly Asiimwe Musiime, the Rwampara District Woman Representative, took on new responsibilities.
Agnes Kunihira, Workers MP, will now lead the Committee on Gender, Labour, and Social Development, with Laura Kanushu, the National Representative for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), as her deputy. Tonny Ayoo, Kwania County MP, was elevated from Deputy Chairperson to Chairperson of the Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), with Iddi Isabirye, MP for Bunya South, as his deputy, replacing Moses Magogo, the MP for Budiope East Constituency.
Following the dismissal of the entire leadership of the Presidential Affairs Committee, new leaders appointed to scrutinize the budgets of the State House, President’s Office, and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) include Alex Bakunda, the MP for Isingiro South Constituency, as Chairperson and Flora Natumanya, Kikuube District Woman MP, as Deputy Chairperson. They replace Jessica Ababiku and Naome Kabasharira.
Other new faces in committee leadership include Dr. Asaba Ruyonga, Hoima City West Division, as Chairperson of the Committee on Health; Stephen Baka Mugabi of Bukooli North County as Chairperson of the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee; Herbert Ariko of Soroti City East Division as Chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources; and Pius Wakabi, Bugahya County MP, as Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government.
In addition, the National Female Youth Member of Parliament, who doubles as the state minister for Minerals, Phiona Nyamutoro, was replaced as a member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) by Bernard Odoi, the Eastern Region Youth Representative. Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa remarked, “After being appointed a Minister, Nyamutoro leaves the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and will be replaced by Odoi Bernard. So the Gen Zs are represented once again.”
