The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has replaced many long-serving committee leaders as Parliament approved the designation of members to sectoral committees for the fourth session.
Parliament met on Wednesday, 19 June 2024, for the first time since the National Budget presentation held the previous Thursday.
The day’s agenda was focused on the designation of members to sectoral committees, following the Parliament Rules of Procedure. These committees, which are responsible for processing proposed laws and monitoring various sectors, have their composition changed every session or year.
Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua designated NRM’s members on the committees along with their leaders. The Opposition Whip John Baptist Nambeshe, Independent Patrick Nsanja, and Lt. Col. Jennifer Alanyo of the UPDF designated other members.
Hon. Janet Okori-Moe (NRM, Abim district) was replaced by Hon. Agnes Auma (Ind., Lira district) as Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
The Chairperson position for the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry, previously held by Hon. Mwine Mpaka, remains vacant. Meanwhile, Northern Youth representative Boniface Okot was appointed as the Deputy Chairperson, replacing Hon. Catherine Lamwaka.
Hon. Lamwaka (NRM, Omoro district) was appointed Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, replacing Hon. Norah Bigirwa (NRM, Buliisa district).
However, some committee leadership positions were not yet filled, including those for the committees on East African Community Affairs, Gender, Labour and Social Development, and Presidential Affairs.
Obua explained, “Where you have heard of no leadership, we are consulting and we shall come back and fulfill the Rules of Procedure of this Parliament.”
Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi (FDC, Mawokoto County South) questioned the incomplete designation process, arguing that all designations should have been completed according to the day’s agenda.
Speaker Anita Among clarified that she had received a communication from the Government Chief Whip requesting two more weeks to finalize the designations, which she granted. “It is a continuous process, he will bring his people,” said Among.
Meanwhile, the House rejected Nambeshe’s attempt to redesignate the leadership of the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation. He proposed to replace Hon. Abed Bwanika (NUP, Kimaanya-Kabonera Division) and Hon. Joyce Bagala (NUP, Mityana district woman MP) with Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West County) and Hon. Betty Nuliyima (NUP, Wakiso District woman MP).
Below is the list of the new Sectoral Committee leadership:
Committee: Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
- Chairperson: Agnes Auma Linda
- Vice Chairperson: Grania Hope Nakazibwe
Committee: Defence and Internal Affairs
- Chairperson: Wilson Kajwengye
- Vice Chairperson: Linos Ngompek
Committee: East African Community Affairs
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Vacant
Committee: Education and Sports
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: James Kubeketerya
Committee: Finance, Planning and Economic Development
- Chairperson: Amos Kankunda
- Vice Chairperson: Moses Aleper
Committee: Foreign Affairs
- Chairperson: Catherine Lamwaka
- Vice Chairperson: Fred Opolot
Committee: Gender, Labour and Social Development
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Vacant
Committee: Health
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti
Committee: Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Tonny Ayoo
Committee: Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: John Teira
Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Geofrey Feta
Committee: Physical Infrastructure
- Chairperson: Dan Kimosho Atwijukire
- Vice Chairperson: Tonny Awany
Committee: Presidential Affairs
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Vacant
Committee: Public Service and Local Government
- Chairperson: Martin Mapenduzi Ojara
- Vice Chairperson: Vacant
Committee: Tourism, Trade and Industry
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Henry Boniface Okot
