Deputy speaker of parliament Anita Among has appointed Henry Waiswa the interim clerk to parliament following the retirement in 'public interest' of Jane Kibirige.
Kibirige was recently retired and replaced by President Yoweri Museveni with former minister of Defence, Adolf Mwesige. Among informed parliament today afternoon that Waisswa had in the interim been appointed to handle the duties of a clerk to parliament due to incomplete formalities regarding Mwesige's appointment.
Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu wondered why Kibirige had been retired and demanded that the deputy speaker explains the crimes she had committed and the circumstances under which she was retired.
"I have been a member of an accountability committee in parliament and what we heard from the president is that she is retiring in public interest. The little law I know, if someone retires in public interest, they must have committed some offenses. Could this be the fact?" Ssewungu asked.
However, Among said that she had no powers to respond to the question which can only be answered by the appointing authority.
Meanwhile, Among also named a vetting committee that will verify candidates for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) by-election. The by-election to replace Mathias Kasamba, the former representative at the Assembly is scheduled for July 26.
The verification committee will be chaired by West Budama North East MP, Fox Odoi Oywelowo. The other members are Kabula County MP Ssemwanga Gyaviira, Gomba Woman MP Sylvia Nayebare, Ik County MP Hilary Lokwang, Bugiri Municipality MP Asuman Basalirwa, and Erute County MP Jonathan Odur among others. This team is expected to report back to parliament on July 23, ahead of voting.
The NRM party parliamentary caucus last week endorsed former Kabula County MP James Kakooza for the position. Meanwhile, the government chief whip, Thomas Tayebwa appealed to the NRM caucus members to ensure that the position is maintained when parliament conducts the elections.
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