The Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has postponed a pivotal meeting intended to approve new parliamentary committee members and heads. The decision comes amid ongoing corruption investigations involving several legislators.
The meeting, chaired by NRM vice-chairman Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo, resolved to delay appointments until the status of the implicated legislators is clarified. This development follows the arrest of at least three MPs, who may face detention in Kitalya Prison due to their alleged involvement in a financial racket with officials from the Ministry of Finance, planning and Economic Development.
The investigations, which have summoned ten individuals from Parliament and the ministry to record statements at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kibuli, revolve around allegations of negotiating kickbacks to influence budget estimates.
Sources within the Central Executive Committee meeting disclosed that NRM chairperson HE. President Yoweri Museveni raised concerns about appointing committee chairs while some MPs are under criminal investigation.
"The matter has been deferred pending guidance from the ongoing security investigations into the alleged fraud involving members of parliament," an insider revealed.
NRM's Director of Communication, Emmanuel Dombo, neither confirmed nor denied the reports.
"We can't rule out any information that may assist CEC in substantiating claims, as our chairman receives intelligence briefs," he stated.
The urgent CEC session, led by Vice-Chairman Kigongo at the Office of the Prime Minister, was convened to address the scandals allegedly involving its members on committees. Although the government chief whip presented a report on each MP, the meeting could not reach a resolution due to incomplete information on the legislators under investigation. Consequently, the decision has been deferred to another CEC meeting scheduled for Friday.
"CEC sat and a report was presented by the government chief whip on each of the MPs. But there was pending information on the files of legislators, and yet proper due diligence is needed," Dombo explained.
The postponement underscores the NRM's commitment to ensuring that the integrity of its parliamentary committee appointments is not compromised by ongoing corruption investigations. As the party awaits further details from security agencies, the political landscape remains tense, with the outcome of the investigations likely to influence the future composition of parliamentary committees.
The delay in appointments highlights the challenges the NRM faces in maintaining its image amid corruption scandals and ensuring that its legislative functions are not hindered by the actions of a few members.
