Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, the Bardege-Layibi Division Gulu West MP, has expressed no regrets regarding his decision to sign a cooperation agreement with the National Resistance Movement (NRM), stating that it falls within his rights.
Speaking on Big Talk on Next Radio on Thursday evening, Mapenduzi emphasized that the purpose of the agreement is to foster association and cooperation, clarifying that he has not crossed over to the NRM.
"I am an independent, and I will remain independent. We have signed an agreement to cooperate. It is not bad to cooperate. I accepted this cooperation agreement consciously, and I will stick to what I believe in. I believe (this agreement) will add value in deepening and strengthening decentralization as far as public service is concerned," he affirmed.
Mapenduzi, recently appointed as the chairperson of the Public Service Committee of Parliament, stressed that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the ruling party should not be the focal point of concern. Instead, he emphasized that the primary focus should be on service delivery.
"I don't regret signing the memorandum of understanding with NRM, and I hope they will respect their part. This MoU is about working for the people. It has nothing personal. If I am not satisfied, there is a clause in the Memorandum of Understanding which allows me to terminate it," he explained.
When asked about the content of the MoU, Mapenduzi declined to share the details at that moment, stating that he was not prepared to do so. He also compared his collaboration with NRM to his previous collaboration with the National Unity Platform (NUP), questioning why there should be any issue with his association with NRM.
This week, Mapenduzi resigned from his position as Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee for Local Government, which was bestowed upon him by NUP. He swiftly accepted a new appointment as the Chairperson of the Public Service Committee from the NRM.
However, his resignation sparked debate in Parliament, particularly among opposition lawmakers, who raised concerns about his shift in allegiance from the opposition, which had appointed him as PAC chair, to the ruling NRM. Mapenduzi replaced Godfrey Onzima, the Aringa North MP, in his new role.
In response to Mapenduzi's resignation, the Speaker of Parliament acknowledged that individuals cannot be forced to remain where they do not wish to be.
Problems between NUP and Mapenduzi arose in February 2022 when the legislator introduced a motion for the censure of Mityana Municipality MP Zaake Francis for allegedly insulting the Speaker on social media. Zaake was subsequently censured, but he challenged the decision in court, which has yet to deliver a verdict on the matter.
Mapenduzi was initially removed from the committee but was later re-designated, although his appointment was unsuccessful after the Speaker requested that the party follow the proper procedure.
On Thursday, Mapenduzi visited the NRM headquarters, where he was welcomed by the party's Secretary General, Richard Todwong. Todwong expressed his excitement to officially collaborate with Mapenduzi and presented him with the NRM manifesto. Mapenduzi subsequently signed the cooperation agreement to work with the ruling NRM.
