Katuntu Advises Rules Committee Members to Abstain from Censure Motion

Bugweri County MP Abdu Katuntu has advised members of parliament belonging to Parliament’s Rules and Privileges Committee not to participate in the ongoing motion for the censure of four Parliamentary Commissioners. Katuntu made the remarks at Parliament on Thursday, 30th May 2024, as he excused himself from appending his signature to the ongoing motion spearheaded by Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County).

The Lwemiyaga County MP intends to achieve the removal of Esther Afoyochan (Zombo District Woman – NRM), Prossy Akampulira (Rubanda District Woman – NRM), Solomon Silwany (Bukooli Central – NRM), and Mathias Mpuuga (Nyendo-Mukungwe – NUP) from their positions as members of the Parliamentary Commission with his censure motion. The four parliamentarians have been under scrutiny for reportedly allocating taxpayers’ money of up to Shs1.7 billion on top of a monthly salary of Shs 23 million without approval from Parliament. In this arrangement, the three NRM legislators took home Shs 400 million, with the former Leader of the Opposition banking Shs 500 million in a one-off personal service award. Mpuuga’s party, National Unity Platform, has since taken drastic measures, including firing him from his position as Deputy President for the Buganda region.

Hon. Katuntu says his role as Chairperson of Parliament’s Rules and Privileges Committee bars him from being part of a process that could potentially climax with his Committee. The Rules Committee is charged with handling matters regarding allegations of misbehaviour of MPs.

“I have a judicious mind and a judicious responsibility, I am the Chairperson of the Rules Committee of Parliament which is charged with the responsibility of investigating any issue on alleged allegations of misbehaviour.”

– Hon. Katuntu Abdu.

To Katuntu, it wouldn’t be a wise decision to participate in being an accuser because of his judicious mind that would be needed should the matters be forwarded to his committee by the speaker.

However, Hon. Ssekikubo is confident that they’ll collect more than the required 177 signatures to pass the censure motion. If successful, the motion will see the four legislators relieved of their backbench duties