Parliament Finalizes Vetting of Newly Appointed Ministers

The Ugandan Parliament has wrapped up its vetting of new Cabinet and state ministers appointed by President Yoweri Museveni. The crucial two-day exercise was overseen by the Appointments Committee, under the chairmanship of Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth.

A significant focus for several nominees was the urgent need to tackle corruption across various sectors. The State Minister for Local Government, Hon. Justine Nameere, pledged to take stern action against corrupt officials in local governments, citing reports of widespread revenue under-declaration and leakage. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that government programs are effectively implemented.

In parallel, the State Minister for National Guidance, Hon. Alioni Yorke Odria, proposed the introduction of digital solutions, including specialized software and integration with phone and banking systems, to combat graft more effectively across ministries.

Meanwhile, the State Minister for Public Service, Hon. Lydia Wanyoto, aims to address issues within public service recruitment and promotions. She is committed to ensuring transparency and preventing bribery in the hiring process, stating that qualified Ugandans should secure jobs through merit.

Addressing public health concerns, the new State Minister for Primary Health Care, Hon. Charles Ayume, advised against panic regarding recent Ebola cases, asserting that a lockdown is not currently necessary. He highlighted the Ministry of Health’s focus on surveillance, awareness campaigns, and early warning systems based on scientific evidence.

Improving the quality of Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools is a key objective for the State Minister for Primary Education, Hon. Phyllis Chemutai. She plans to advocate for better infrastructure and address the issue of poor pupil feeding, which impacts academic performance and contributes to school dropouts.

Ambassador Adonia Ayebare, taking on the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs, intends to foster greater collaboration among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to ensure a unified and effective implementation of Uganda’s foreign policy, centered on patriotism, regional integration, and Pan-Africanism.

The Appointments Committee’s role in approving presidential nominees is stipulated in Rule 173 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure. Following this vetting, the Speaker will formally communicate the committee’s decisions to the President within three working days, as outlined in Rule 177.

Source: Parliament of Uganda