The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has implemented significant changes in parliamentary committee leadership as the designation of members to sectoral committees was approved for the fourth session.
Parliament convened on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, for the first time since the National Budget presentation the previous Thursday. The sole agenda for the day was to assign members to sectoral committees in accordance with parliamentary rules. These committees, which focus on processing proposed legislation and monitoring various sectors, see their composition change annually.
Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua led the designation of NRM members and their leadership roles, while Opposition Whip John Baptist Nambeshe, Independent Patrick Nsanja, and Lt. Col. Jennifer Alanyo of the UPDF designated members from their respective groups.
Notable changes include Janet Okori-Moe (NRM, Abim district) being replaced by Agnes Auma (Ind., Lira district) as Chairperson of the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries. The position of Chairperson of the Committee on Tourism, Trade, and Industry remains vacant following the departure of Mwine Mpaka. Northern Youth representative Boniface Okot has been appointed Deputy Chairperson of this committee, replacing Catherine Lamwaka.
Catherine Lamwaka (NRM, Omoro district) has moved to Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, taking over from Norah Bigirwa (NRM, Buliisa district).
However, some leadership positions remain unfilled, including those in the committees on East African Community Affairs; Gender, Labour, and Social Development; and Presidential Affairs. Obua stated, “Where you have heard of no leadership, we are consulting and we shall come back and fulfil the Rules of Procedure of this Parliament.”
Yusuf Nsibambi (FDC, Mawokoto County South) expressed concerns over the incomplete designation, arguing that all assignments should have been completed as scheduled. Speaker Anita Among granted the government Chief Whip’s request for a two-week extension to finalize appointments.
In a related development, the House rejected Opposition Whip Nambeshe’s proposal to reassign the leadership of the Committee on Government Assurance and Implementation. The proposed changes would have replaced Abed Bwanika (NUP, Kimaanya-Kabonera Division) and Joyce Bagala (NUP, Mityana district woman MP) with Joseph Ssewungu (NUP, Kalungu West County) and Betty Nuliyima (NUP, Wakiso District woman MP).
Sectoral Committee Leadership
Agriculture, Animal Industry, and Fisheries
- Chairperson: Agnes Auma Linda
- Vice Chairperson: Grania Hope Nakazibwe
Defence and Internal Affairs
- Chairperson: Wilson Kajwengye
- Vice Chairperson: Linos Ngompek
East African Community Affairs
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Vacant
Education and Sports
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: James Kubeketerya
Finance, Planning, and Economic Development
- Chairperson: Amos Kankunda
- Vice Chairperson: Moses Aleper
Foreign Affairs
- Chairperson: Catherine Lamwaka
- Vice Chairperson: Fred Opolot
Gender, Labour, and Social Development
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Vacant
Health
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti
Information, Communication Technology, and National Guidance
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Tonny Ayoo
Legal and Parliamentary Affairs
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: John Teira
Environment and Natural Resources
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Geoffrey Feta
Physical Infrastructure
- Chairperson: Dan Kimosho Atwijukire
- Vice Chairperson: Tonny Awany
Presidential Affairs
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Vacant
Public Service and Local Government
- Chairperson: Martin Ojara Mapenduzi
- Vice Chairperson: Vacant
Tourism, Trade, and Industry
- Chairperson: Vacant
- Vice Chairperson: Henry Boniface Okot
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