Parliament in a decisive vote of 348 MPs has censured controversial State Minister for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development Princess Persis Namuganza over alleged verbal attacks on parliament and the person of the Speaker . The MPs voted to censure their fellow colleague for violating parliament ‘s code of conduct . Five MPs voted against the censure motion and three abstained .
The censure proceedings were presided over by the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa after recommendation by a Select Committee that the embattled youthful Minister be censured for her role in the Naguru-Nakawa land bonanza and subsequent verbal attacks on Parliament and its Speaker .
Now , according to the parliamentary rules of procedure, the Speaker has 24 hours to forward the censure decision of Parliament to the President for action.
The Select Committee led by Mwine Mpaka found a prima facie case (on the face of it.- accepted as correct until proved otherwise ) against Namuganza –that she failed in her duty to- at all times conduct herself in a manner which would maintain and strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in the integrity of Parliament.
“The Committee prays that this report is adopted by the House and leads in the proceedings of censure against Hon. Persis Namuganza from the Office of the Minister of State for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development,” said Mwine Mpaka as the MPs waited patiently to vote .
“The committee is of the considered opinion that the standard of behaviour and conduct expected of a member applies to all Members of Parliament, irrespective of whether they are elected members or ex-officio Members of Parliament,” Mwine Mpaka stated.
Background
A seven member Select Committee was set up by the Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa to investigate Namuganza for violation of parliament conduct of conduct . The committee was chaired by Mbarara City South Division MP Mwine Mpaka.
MPs who were led by John Amos OKot -Agago North and Dan Kimosho -Kazo County accuse Namuganda of attacking parliament and its Speaker Anita Among in the media contrary to the rules that governor MPs. They have since tabled in evidence video clips and newspaper cuttings to support their case.
Namuganza did not appear in person to defend herself against the allegations saying she was not served with the said evidence . This is after 200 MPs signed a petition to censure Namuganza the Bukono County MP in Namisindwa district for alleged contempt of parliament .
On her part ,Namuganza has filed a petition in the Constitutional Court challenging the speaker’s authority to set up a select committee to cause her censure . The matter is yet to be determined by court .
The Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) graduation
Namuganza was among 1989 students who were awarded academic certificates in various programs during the IUIU 31st graduation ceremony held last Saturday on January 21, 2023 at the University ‘s main campus in Mbale. She graduated with a Diploma in law at a colorful ceremony presided over by the Rector , Dr. Ismail Simbwa Gyagenda.
