FULL LIST: Magogo, Rwakoojo dropped as NRM govt reshuffles sectoral committee leaders

Kampala, (UG):- President Museveni’s ruling NRM Party Tuesday announced its final in the shakeup of different sectoral committees leadership in parliament with the changes affecting Budiope East MP Moses Magogo (Speaker Anita Among’s husband) who has been leading the ICT committee.

Also dropped is Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee Chairperson, Gomba West MP Robina Rwakoojo Gureme, Dr Charles Ayume (Koboko Municipality) who has been the chairperson of the Health Committee, as well as Bunyaruguru County MP John Ntamuhiira Twesigye who has been chairing the Education Committee.

The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua said the designation of new leaders and members to the sectoral committees of Parliament based on the rules 187 and 188 of the Rules of Procedure.

This move, according to Obua aimed at enhancing the efficiency and oversight capabilities of the committees, was presented during the plenary sitting on Tuesday, 23 July 2024 chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

The composition of the 15 sectoral committees, which are departmentally related, is determined at the start of each new session which lasts a year.

For the Committee on East African Community Affairs, Hon. James Nsaba Butuuro (Bufumbira County East) was designated as the chairperson, bringing extensive experience and expertise to the role. Supporting him as deputy chairperson is Hon. Shartsi Musherure (Mawogola North County).

On the Committee of Education and Sports, Hon. James Kubeketerya (Bunya County East) and Molly Asiimwe (Rwampara District Woman Representative) as chairperson and deputy chairperson respectively.

Hon. Agnes Kunihira (Workers Representative) was designated the Chairperson of the Committee on Gender, Labour and Social Development, and Hon. Laura Kanushu (Representative of Persons with Disability) as her deputy.

On the Committee of Health, Dr Joseph Ruyonga (Hoima West Division) has been designated as chairperson, while on the Committee of Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance, Hon. Tonny Ayoo (Kwania County) and Hon. Iddi Isabirye (Bunya County South) were designated as chairperson and deputy chairperson respectively.

To the Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon. Stephen Mugabi Baka (Bukooli County North) was appointed chairperson, while the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources will see Hon. Herbert Edmund Ariko (Soroti East Division) as chairperson.

On the Committee on Presidential Affairs, Hon. Alex Byarugaba (Isingiro County South) and Hon. Flora Natumanya (Kibuube District Woman Representative) have been appointed chairperson and deputy respectively.

On the Committee on Public Service and Local Government, Hon. Pius Wakabi (Bugahya County) will serve as the deputy chairperson, and the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry will be chaired by Hon. Sylvia Nayebale (Gomba District Woman Representative).

Meanwhile, several former long-serving chairpersons and deputy chairpersons were also designated to different committees.

Full list of the Sectoral Committee leadership

1. Committee:    Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
Chairperson:   Hon. Linda Agnes Auma
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Hope Grania Nakazibwe

2. Committee: Defence and Internal Affairs
Chairperson: Hon. Wilson Kajwengye
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Linos Ngompek

3. Committee: East African Community Affairs
Chairperson: Hon. James Nsaba Butuuro
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Shartsi Musherure

4. Committee: Education and Sports
Chairperson: Hon. James Kubeketerya
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Molly Asiimwe

5. Committee: Finance, Planning and Economic Development
Chairperson: Hon. Amos Kankunda
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Moses Aleper

6. Committee: Foreign Affairs
Chairperson: Hon. Catherine Lamwaka
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Fred Opolot

7. Committee: Gender, Labour and Social Development
Chairperson: Hon. Agnes Kunihira
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Laura Kanushu

8. Committee: Health
Chairperson: Dr Joseph Ruyonga
Deputy Chairperson: Dr Samuel Opio Acuti

9. Committee: Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance
Chairperson: Hon. Tonny Ayoo
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Iddi Isabirye

10. Committee: Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
Chairperson: Hon. Stephen Mugabi Baka
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. John Teira

11. Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Chairperson: Hon. Herbert Edmund Ariko
Deputy Chairperson: Geofrey Feta

12. Committee: Physical Infrastructure
Chairperson: Hon. Dan Kimosho Atwijukire
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Tonny Awany

13. Committee: Presidential Affairs
Chairperson: Hon. Alex Byarugaba
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Flora Natumanya

14. Committee: Public Service and Local Government
Chairperson: Hon. Martin Mapenduzi Ojara
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Pius Wakabi

15. Committee: Tourism, Trade and Industry
Chairperson: Hon. Sylvia Nayebale
Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Boniface Henry Okot

List of additional members designated

Committee on Finance, Planning and Economic Development
1.    Hon. Charles Ayume
2.    Hon. Jane Pacuto Avur
3.    Hon. Keefa Kiwanuka
4.    Hon. David Ochwa
5.    Hon. Janepher Mbabazi

Committee on Education and Sports
1.    Hon. Janet Okori-Moe
2.    Hon. John Twesigye

Committee on Presidential Affairs
1.    Hon. Jennifer Muhweesi
2.    Hon. Jessica Ababiku

Committee on Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
1.    Hon. Peter Lokii
2.    Hon. Noeline Kisembo
3.    Hon. Sarah Najjuma

Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
1.    Hon. Gideon Mujungu
2.    Hon. Robina Rwakoojo
3.    Hon. Emmanuel Otaala

Committee on East African Community Affairs
1.    Hon. Godfrey Onzima
2.    Hon. Flavia Kabahenda

Committee on Environment Natural Resources
1.    Hon. Mwine Mpaka
2.    Hon. Nathan Nabeta
3.    Hon. Aggrey Bagiire
4.    Hon. Norah Bigirwa
5.    Hon. Christine Apolot

Committee on Public Service and Local Government
1.    Hon. Isaac Modoi
2.    Hon. Abdi Chemaswet

Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry
1.    Hon. Agnes Kirabo

The sectoral committee reshuffle comes amid President Museveni’s strong stance against corruption, particularly targeting corrupt officials and MPs colluding with finance ministry officials to embezzle public funds.

The changes also coincide with the cooperatives compensation scandal, which has led to the remanding of five MPs and the permanent secretary of the trade ministry, Geraldine Ssali, over the alleged theft of billions.