PARLIAMENT: Lwemiyaga County Member of Parliament, Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo, has expressed concern over the delay by the top leadership at Parliament to include his censure motion on the Order Paper.
The motion seeks to censure four Commissioners over the Shs1.7Bn Service Award, which was lawfully passed by Parliament and upheld by the High Court earlier in the week. Ssekikubo noted that the 14-day deadline for tabling the motion before Parliament is drawing closer, with the last day being Monday, August 19, 2024.
He remarked, “We don’t see any item about the censure motion on the Order Paper, and the days are counting. Once a matter is properly filed, we should receive formal notice of when it will be discussed within the 14 days.”
Ssekikubo emphasized that the motion carries the weight of members of Parliament and the general public, who are eagerly awaiting the outcome.
He sought guidance from the Speaker, noting that the days are fast elapsing and the last day for tabling the motion is approaching. Ssekikubo said, “I seek your indulgence so that I get guidance from you, knowing that the days are fast elapsing and the last day as we count the 14 days, should be Monday, and today is a Thursday.”
Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa, assured Ssekikubo that he would receive a response on when his motion would be handled.
Tayebwa stated, “I can see you’re counting down, and tomorrow you will get guidance. We are still within the 14 days, and I don’t know, people interpret differently, some can argue that the 14 days don’t include the weekend, others argue they include the weekend, but we shall ensure we play within the Rules.” He confirmed that the motion would be handled within the Rules.
Ssekikubo clarified that the High Court ruling upholding the Shs1.7Bn Service Award to the four Commissioners hasn’t erased his censure motion. He explained that his prayers are different from those made by the petitioners in Civil Court, and therefore, the court ruling can’t affect his motion.
Ssekikubo said, “Our prayers are different from those raised in the ruling, and therefore, it can’t be affected by the court ruling. May we know as petitioners when the notice is due to be issued so that we can prepare accordingly for that debate.”