Muhwezi censure motion collapses

By Francis Lubega

24^th Feb 2022

The Opposition in Parliament has proved its inadequacy after failing to raise the required signatures to censure the Minister for Security Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi.

The MPs accuse Minister Muhwezi of failing to rein in security agencies accused of torture and detention without trial of opposition supporters which President Museveni has repeatedly condemned.

Three weeks ago opposition MPs lead by the Leader of Opposition Matthias Mpuuga launched and moved a censure motion against Muhwezi that needed 176 signatures to justify their motion but this was unsuccessful after collecting only 87 signatures by close of February 24, 2022, which has been the deadline.

Now speaking to the Forum for Democratic Change -FDC Chief Whip in parliament Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda said soon after auditing who signed and not, he will summon all FDC MPs to explain their reasons of not supporting the cause.

The Buikwe South MP Dr. Michael Lulume Bayiga says he is not bothered with those who didn’t sign saying it’s a right for a member of parliament to sign or not depending on one’s reason.

Early this week, the Security Minister Muhwezi noted that a motion of censure against him has no basis and was addressed to wrong person since the government doesn’t condone torture which signifies his irresponsibility for mistakes committed by individual security personnel.

This is the third time Muhwezi faces censure as a minister with only one attempt was successful by the 6^th Parliament when he lost the job of Minister for Basic Education over influence peddling and abuse of office.