Speaker Anita Among has told opposition National Unity Platform that it has no power to recall its deputy president for Buganda, Mathias Mpuuga from his position as a parliamentary commissioner.
In a March, 25, 2024 letter, Among told the biggest opposition party Secretary General, Lewis Rubongoya that whereas it indicated that it seeks to repalce Mpuuga with Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, it has no power to do so.
“Parliamentary Commissioners are elected by Parliament by virtue of section 2 of the Administration of Parliament, Cap 257 and rule 11 (4) of the Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda. The role of parties under the law is limited to nominating candidates for election to the office of Commissioner of Parliament as stipulated in sub section 2 (2b),” Among said.
“Once elected by Parliament, the commissioners so elected cease to serve individual party interests and serve Parliament as a whole. As such, they can only vacate the position or be removed therefrom in conformity with the law.
The speaker explained that in this case, Mpuuga would only get out of parliamentary commission if he had lost his seat in parliament.
“The above notwithstanding, Honourable Mathias Mpuuga has neither vacated his seat as a member of Parliament in accordance with article 83 of the Constitution nor has he been, upon a motion moved in strict compliance with the rules of procedure, found guilty by Parliament for inability to perform the functions of his office arising from infirmity of body or mind, misbehaviour, misconduct or incompetence.”
“Your letter therefore, and desire of the National Unity Platform, has no basis or foundation in law. I can therefore not implement it.”
