By Mubiru Ivan
On Sunday, Kabula County Member of Parliament James Kakooza narrowly survived death after he was involved in a motor accident on Masaka-Mbarara Highway. The legislator, who was speeding in an Audi registration number UBB 826A, however, knocked dead a local pastor identified as Enos Kishokye. Two others were seriously injured and taken to Lyantonde hospital.
Kakooza was taken to Mbarara University reportedly under the seats of a police patrol pickup.
This is reportedly the second accident involving the ruling NRM party legislator and bodaboda
Who is James Kakooza?
Kakooza was born on February 18, 1962 in Lyantonde District.
In 1986, he sat for his O’ Level at St Charles Lwanga, SS Kasasa. He then joined Mende Kalema High School for his A’ Level.
Kakooza holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration (BBA) from Nkumba University. He also holds a Diploma in Clearing & Forwarding, as well as the Certificate in Customs Basics and Tax Administration awarded by the Uganda Revenue Authority.
In 2002 he attained a Certificate in Certified Public Accountant (CPA1-3) from CPA Kenya.
Kakooza also has a Certificate in Public Private Partnerships from University of Australia, a Certificate in Anti-Corruption Methods from International Law Institute, Washington DC and a Certificate in Taxation, Information Technology and Statistics from University of China.
In 1994, the legislator worked as a banker at Sembule Bank (Present day Bank of Africa). In the same year he joined Uganda Importers and Exporters Association as a Director, a position he served for four years.
He also served as Accounts Officer at Karibu Forex Bureau from 1995 to 1996.
From 1999 to 2001, Kakooza worked as Director, Import and Export at Kabale Distributors before he joined politics. He was elected Kabula County MP, a position he still holds up to date.
Kakooza also served as State Minister for Health Primary Care from 2009 to 2011.
Controversy:
In 2013, Kakooza was acquitted of incest charges. The legislator was accused of having a sexual intercourse with his biological daughter, which encounter was alleged to have resulted into a child.
His ex-wife Enid Tuhirirwe sued Kakooza seeking divorce on grounds that he had committed incest and cruelty.
Makindye Chief Magistrate Esther Nambayo ruled that prosecution had failed to prove that Kakooza had sexual intercourse with his daughter thus acquitting the former minister state minister for health, Primary Health Care.
After the 2011 general elections, the High Court in Kampala summoned the legislator to defend himself against allegations that he lacked the requisite qualifications to be in Parliament.
The case was lodged by eight Kabula County registered voters who wanted Kakooza be thrown out of Parliament.
They said he did not attend and does not have an O’ Level certificate from St. Charles Lwanga Senior Secondary School, Kasasa, as he claimed. Up to date, the case is still in court.
In 2017, Kakooza was among the MPs who voted in favor of controversial age limit bill.
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