The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has dropped and replaced long-serving committee leaders as Parliament approved designation of members to sectoral committees for the fourth session.

Parliament was on Wednesday, 19 June 2024 meeting for the first time since the National Budget presentation held on Thursday last week.

The day’s business consisted only of the designation of members to sectoral committees in accordance with the Parliament Rules of Procedure. Composition of sectoral committees, which mainly process proposed legislation and monitor various sectors, changes every session or year.

Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, designated the party’s members on the committees together with the leadership, before the Opposition Whip, John Baptist Nambeshe (Opposition), Patrick Nsanja (Independent) and Lt Col Jennifer Alanyo (UPDF) designated the other members.

Hon. Janet Okori-Moe (NRM, Abim District Woman Representative) was dropped and replaced by Hon. Agnes Auma, (Ind., Lira District Woman Representative) as Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

The position of Chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, Trade and Industry formerly occupied by Hon. Mwine Mpaka, remains vacant, while Northern Youth representative, Boniface Okot, gets a chance at committee leadership, replacing Hon. Catherine Lamwaka as the deputy chairperson of the committee.

Hon. Lamwaka (NRM, Omoro District Woman Representative) has been appointed Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, replacing Hon. Norah Bigirwa (NRM, Buliisa District Woman Representative). 

However, even though the designation was done, some of the leadership was not ready including the committees on East African Community Affairs; Gender, Labour and Social Development and Presidential Affairs. 

“Where you have heard of no leadership, we are consulting and we shall come back and fulfil the Rules of Procedure of this Parliament,” said Obua. 

Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi (FDC, Mawokoto County South), however questioned the incomplete designation exercise, arguing that according to the day’s business, all designations should have been handled. 

Speaker, Anita Among, guided that she received a communication from the Government Chief Whip, requesting for two weeks, which she granted. 

“It is a continuous process and he will bring his people,” said Among. 

Meanwhile, the House rejected Nambeshe’s attempt to re-designate the leadership of the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation, positions occupied by Hon. Abed Bwanika (NUP, Kimaanya-Kabonera Division) and Hon. Joyce Bagala (NUP, Mityana District Woman MP) respectively, to replace them with Hon. Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West County) and Hon. Betty Nuliyima (NUP, Wakiso District Woman MP). 

Below is the list of Sectoral Committee leadership
Committee:    Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
Chairperson:   Linda Agnes Auma
Deputy Chairperson: Hope Grania Nakazibwe

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

Committee: East African Community Affairs
Chairperson: Vacant
Deputy Chairperson: Vacant

Committee: Education and Sports
Chairperson: Vacant
Deputy Chairperson: James Kubeketerya

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

Committee: Foreign Affairs
Chairperson: Catherine Lamwaka
Deputy Chairperson: Fred Opolot

Committee: Gender, Labour and Social Development
Chairperson: Vacant
Deputy Chairperson: Vacant

Committee: Health
Chairperson: Vacant
Deputy Chairperson: Dr Samuel Opio Acuti

Committee: Information, Communication Technology and National Guidance
Chairperson: Vacant
Deputy Chairperson: Tonny Ayoo

Committee: Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
Chairperson: Vacant
Deputy Chairperson: John Teira

Committee: Environment and Natural Resources
Chairperson: Vacant
Deputy Chairperson: Geofrey Feta

Committee: Physical Infrastructure
Chairperson: Dan Kimosho Atwijukire
Deputy Chairperson: Tonny Awany

Committee: Presidential Affairs
Chairperson: Vacant
Deputy Chairperson: Vacant

Committee: Public Service and Local Government
Chairperson: Martin Mapenduzi Ojara
Deputy Chairperson: Vacant

Committee: Tourism, Trade and Industry
Chairperson: Vacant
Deputy Chairperson: Boniface Henry Okot