Ministerial vetting ends amid citizenship queries
The committee completed the vetting exercise over two days, examining nominees for Cabinet and other ministerial positions in the new government.
Addressing journalists yesterday, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, who chaired the committee on behalf of Speaker Jacob Oboth-Oboth, said the majority of the nominees were cleared.
“We have approved 80 out of the 82 nominees. One is still pending because they have not yet appeared before the committee, while another one, we found multiple issues, which we are going to look into before making a final decision and communicating to the appointing authority,” Mr Tayebwa said.
Although he did not disclose the identity of the nominee who failed to appear, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi later told journalists that the pending nominee was the Minister of Education and Sports, Ms Janet Kataaha Museveni.
Ms Museveni, who is also the First Lady, has not been seen in public for several months, prompting speculation about her whereabouts.
“The Honourable Janet Kataaha Museveni has not been vetted. We asked the Speaker and he said he is still in touch with the First Lady’s office and will let us know when the nominee will be available. Until then, that nominee has not been vetted and cannot take office because she must first go through this process,” Mr Ssenyonyi said.
The vetting exercise was overshadowed by questions surrounding dual citizenship among some ministerial nominees. Addressing the matter, Mr Tayebwa revealed that the committee verified the citizenship status of several nominees with the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
“We did a verification with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and discovered that we had three colleagues with dual citizenship and one colleague with multiple citizenship. We examined the matter extensively and all of them have committed to renouncing their citizenship in the other countries,” he said.
Citizen debate
Mr Tayebwa praised the affected nominees for what he described as a patriotic decision.
“They have taken a patriotic step of choosing Uganda above all. These are painful decisions because some of these people have families in those countries. But they have chosen to renounce those citizenships, and we appreciate them for that,” he added.
Dr Lawrence Muganga, newly appointed State Minister for Internal Affairs, whose citizenship status attracted public attention, defended himself after appearing before the committee.
“I am a Munyarwanda by tribe like any other Ugandan tribe, whether Muganda, Musoga or others, but I am not a Rwandan. I am a Ugandan and Canadian,” he said.
“There is no better country than Uganda. Before I became a Canadian, I was a Ugandan, and even if I were to remain with one citizenship, I would choose Uganda. I am proud to be Ugandan,” he added.
The issue came to the fore after city lawyer and Democratic Front party Deputy Secretary General Deric Fred Nnamakpi petitioned Parliament, seeking to block the vetting of Dr Muganga, arguing that his alleged dual citizenship status contravened provisions of the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control (Amendment Act, 2006).
Mr Nnamakjo cited Section 19D of the law, which restricts dual citizens from holding certain sensitive public offices.
Dr Muganga said he fully explained his position to the committee and would await its decision.
Mr Ssenyonyi maintained that the law must be followed.
“If somebody has dual or multiple citizenship they should first renounce the citizenship of the other countries so that the law is followed. If there is proof that the person has renounced those citizenships and remains solely a citizen of Uganda, then we can discuss other issues,” he said.
Affordable housing
Several ministers used the vetting process to outline priorities for the new term. State Minister for Housing Persis Namuganza said the committee challenged her to address the shortage of affordable housing and expand institutional housing for key government offices.
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs Rebecca Kadaga said one of her priorities would be to engage partner states to honour their financial obligations to the regional bloc.
Music fraternity falls silent for Master Parrot
BY ISAAC SSEJOMBWE
KAMPALA. Uganda’s entertainment industry is mourning the death of veteran musician David Sifayo, popularly known as Master Parrot, who died after being involved in a hit-and-run accident on the Northern Bypass in Masanafu on Monday evening.
According to Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson Luke Owoyeyesigire, the accident occurred at around 7.30pm when Master Parrot was allegedly knocked by a yet-to-be-identified vehicle while walking along the road. Police officers responded and took him to Mulago National Referral Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“The driver fled to an unknown destination after the accident. We have not yet obtained details of the vehicle involved, but investigations are ongoing and we are reviewing CCTV footage to identify both the car and the driver,” Mr Owoyeyesigire said.
News of the singer’s death sent shockwaves through the music fraternity, with fellow artistes and long-time friends paying tribute to one of the pioneers of Uganda’s urban music movement.
“Just got the terrible news that we’ve lost our brother Master Parrot. Old funny conversations and careless hearty laughter are the painful memories you leave with us, my friend. Until we meet again,” former Firebase Crew colleague and National Unity Platform party president Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, posted on social media.
Uganda National Musicians Federation president Eddy Kenzo also mourned the singer. “Sad news. Rest in peace, my brother Master Parrot.”
Family members say they were initially unaware of the tragedy until they received a phone call informing them of his death. Master Parrot was one of the founding members of the original Firebase Crew, alongside Bobi Wine, Sizzaman, Jajja Nana, Butcherman and Toolman Kibalama.
His music catalogue spans more than 30 songs, including popular hits such as Multira, Mama Wabanaa, Oliwa, Kikili Kitya, Etikompola, Nankya, Mwana Mutwala and Kawal, a collaboration with Jose Chameleone. In recent years, the singer largely disappeared from the spotlight as he reportedly battled personal challenges.
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