I am the boss – Speaker Kadaga tells off opposition

The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has said the current leadership of the Committee on Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (Cosase) has a job to finish.

While addressing journalists in her chambers in Parliament on Thursday, Kadaga added that the tenure of the current Cosase committee, headed by Bugweri Member of Parliament Abdu Katuntu will come to end after finalizing the probe into Bank of Uganda and handing over the reports.

“I am the speaker of the house, head of the institution and my proposal is good for the institution and the country. Parliament does work for the country not political parties,” Kadaga said.

Kadaga’s ‘ruling’ follows accusations by some members of the opposition that she does not respect laws which suggest that every Cosase committee will serve only two and half years.

When Watchdog Uganda interviewed Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze on Wednesday, she said “Kadaga has only powers to lead the processes of the Parliament but she cannot exceed the laws and we shall not let her do what she thinks.”

However, Kadaga said the current committee has an immediate business to finish which is at a critical stage.

“We can’t let the current committee leave without finishing the BOU probe at a crucial stage like this, it will be unfair to change them,” said Kadaga.

“I am only requesting that this committee is allowed to make their report and present to Parliament,” added Kadaga

Katuntu and his deputy Anita Among (Bukedea Woman MP) are supposed to hand over Cosase leadership to Kawempe South’s legislator Mubarak Munyagwa and Rubaga North’s Moses Kasibante on January13.

Kadaga last year extended their term up to end of next month.

Then, the Leader of Opposition Betty Aol Ochan and her entire team opposed Kadaga’s decision claiming that Speaker might have an interest in the matters of the Bank of Uganda.

Aol said “For someone to think he or she is the only person who can handle something, then it is unfortunate because we are mortal, and if you are not there, someone else has to continue with your work”.

Aol accused Kadaga of trying to undermine the decision of FDC party leadership that made the said changes.

Opposition Chief Whip Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has also opposed Kadaga’s decision saying that rules don’t allow her to extend the tenure of  the current Committee, and promised to challenge her in the Parliament come next week.