MPs block Kajura’s appointment
Parliament yesterday refused to approve the appointment of 77-year-old Henry Muganwa Kajura as Minister of Public Service on account of his advanced age.
Sources inside the House Appointments Committee meeting that ended after 9pm told Daily Monitor it was unanimously resolved that Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who chaired the committee, writes to President Museveni to appoint “a fresh and younger person”.
Leader of the Opposition Nandala Mafabi is said to have proposed the rejection of the appointment. It was, however, agreed that Mr Kajura be retained as a Second Deputy Prime Minister.
“The man sleeps a lot and forgets every time, everything,” a source said. “We debated and took this decision in the interest of the country after we realised that in most cases he doesn’t connect things in a proper manner. We also took account of his performance for the last 10 years he has been a minister for Public Service and resolved to have a new person.”
The source added: “Even when we asked him some questions during the vetting exercise, he couldn’t remember his first answers. We felt he is very tired and can’t handle the Public Service which has a lot of work and is the life-line of service delivery in the country.”
Mr Kajura has been at the helm of Public Service since 2005 and in Cabinet since 1989. He will celebrate his 77th birthday on July 7. He is the MP for Hoima Municipality. After vetting, Mr Kajura told journalists: “They raised the issue of stamina because of my age but I can assure you that I have enough stamina to serve.”
Concern about age
The MPs complained about the age of all the Deputy Prime Ministers. First Deputy Premier Eriya Kategaya told the journalists that Mr Mafabi also questioned his age. “But I told him (Mafabi) that he is enjoying the benefits of our labour,” referring to the bush war where he took part in. Mr Kategaya will turn 66 on July 4. And the story was the same for the 3rd Deputy Premier Gen. Moses Ali, 72. “They said I am old but I said I thank God for my age.”
Approved ministers
The committee vetted and approved 22 Cabinet ministers including First Lady Janet Museveni, the minister for Karamoja Affairs. Former Kampala Mayor Nasser Ntege Sebagala, who was supposed to be vetted for the position of Minister without Portfolio at 4pm was told to return today at 9:30am due to time constraint. The committee had planned to vet 35 ministers.
Before he was asked to return today morning, Mr Sebaggalatold journalists that allegations that he didn’t hand over office are baseless and a “circus.” “Those who say I don’t qualify should ask the President why he appointed me, not them,” Mr Sebaggala said. “I have been mayor twice, how many other people have a criminal record?” he said, in reference to his US arrest in 1998 while he was Kampala mayor. “The reason for going to jail is to reform.”
Ministers Kabakumba Masiko (Presidency) and Wilson Muruli Mukasa (Security) Ms Maria Kiwanuka (Finance), Amelia Kyambadde, were among the ministers approved.
Sources inside the House Appointments Committee meeting that ended after 9pm told Daily Monitor it was unanimously resolved that Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, who chaired the committee, writes to President Museveni to appoint “a fresh and younger person”.
Leader of the Opposition Nandala Mafabi is said to have proposed the rejection of the appointment. It was, however, agreed that Mr Kajura be retained as a Second Deputy Prime Minister.
“The man sleeps a lot and forgets every time, everything,” a source said. “We debated and took this decision in the interest of the country after we realised that in most cases he doesn’t connect things in a proper manner. We also took account of his performance for the last 10 years he has been a minister for Public Service and resolved to have a new person.”
The source added: “Even when we asked him some questions during the vetting exercise, he couldn’t remember his first answers. We felt he is very tired and can’t handle the Public Service which has a lot of work and is the life-line of service delivery in the country.”
Mr Kajura has been at the helm of Public Service since 2005 and in Cabinet since 1989. He will celebrate his 77th birthday on July 7. He is the MP for Hoima Municipality. After vetting, Mr Kajura told journalists: “They raised the issue of stamina because of my age but I can assure you that I have enough stamina to serve.”
Concern about age
The MPs complained about the age of all the Deputy Prime Ministers. First Deputy Premier Eriya Kategaya told the journalists that Mr Mafabi also questioned his age. “But I told him (Mafabi) that he is enjoying the benefits of our labour,” referring to the bush war where he took part in. Mr Kategaya will turn 66 on July 4. And the story was the same for the 3rd Deputy Premier Gen. Moses Ali, 72. “They said I am old but I said I thank God for my age.”
Approved ministers
The committee vetted and approved 22 Cabinet ministers including First Lady Janet Museveni, the minister for Karamoja Affairs. Former Kampala Mayor Nasser Ntege Sebagala, who was supposed to be vetted for the position of Minister without Portfolio at 4pm was told to return today at 9:30am due to time constraint. The committee had planned to vet 35 ministers.
Before he was asked to return today morning, Mr Sebaggalatold journalists that allegations that he didn’t hand over office are baseless and a “circus.” “Those who say I don’t qualify should ask the President why he appointed me, not them,” Mr Sebaggala said. “I have been mayor twice, how many other people have a criminal record?” he said, in reference to his US arrest in 1998 while he was Kampala mayor. “The reason for going to jail is to reform.”
Ministers Kabakumba Masiko (Presidency) and Wilson Muruli Mukasa (Security) Ms Maria Kiwanuka (Finance), Amelia Kyambadde, were among the ministers approved.
posted by mwesigye herbert at 3:24 AM
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