NRM’s Top Organ Moves to Terminate Embattled Commissioners

By Hason Mutunzi Bwambale

Kampala, Uganda – In a bid to salvage the image of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, the Central Executive Committee (CEC) is convening an emergency meeting to decide the fate of its parliamentary commissioners embroiled in a Shs1.7 billion service award scandal.

Sources close to the meeting reveal that the NRM is likely to terminate the tenure of commissioners Prossy Mbabazi, Esther Afoyochan, and Solomon Silwany prematurely, ahead of their two-and-a-half-year term. This move aims to preempt a potentially damaging debate on the floor of Parliament.

The trio, alongside former Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, received a controversial Shs400 million gratuity in 2022 without parliamentary approval. The scandal has sparked outrage within the NRM, with some members calling for their removal through impeachment.

Theodore Ssekikubo and Sarah Opendi, both NRM MPs, have led the charge against their colleagues, opening a censure motion three weeks ago. The motion is set to close today, putting pressure on CEC to act swiftly.

Apart from the commissioners’ fate, CEC will also address the approval of NRM members to various committees and the replacement of committee chairpersons.

This development highlights the ruling party’s attempt to contain the fallout and maintain its image amidst the scandal. As the CEC meeting concludes, the fate of the embattled commissioners will be revealed, marking a significant turning point in Uganda’s political landscape.