URN has learnt that two of the nominees; Robinah Nabbanja, the designate Minister of State for Health and Jackson Kafuuzi-the designate Deputy Attorney General had their approval deferred to allow further consultations on their qualifications.
The appointment of MPs Robinah
Nabbanja and Jackson Kafuuzi to cabinet hangs in balance as the appointments
committee raised queries on their credentials.
The committee chaired by the
Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga today vetted nine people who were
appointed into the cabinet for the first time. They include Igara East MP Raphael
Magyezi, Mityana Woman MP Judith Nabakooba, Kitgum Municipality MP Beatrice
Anywar, Kyaka South MP Jackson Kafuuzi, Kakumiro Woman MP Robinah Nabbanja and Ajuri
County MP Denis Hamson Obua. The others were Peter Ogwang, Helen Adoa and Molly
Kamukama.
However, URN has learnt that two
of the nominees; Robinah Nabbanja, the designate Minister of State for Health
and Jackson Kafuuzi-the designate Deputy Attorney General had their approval deferred
to allow further consultations on their qualifications.
According to a source who
attended the meeting, the committee detected inconsistencies in Nabbanja’s Advanced
level credentials. The papers will now
be verified from the institution where she allegedly studied from and the
Uganda National Examinations Board. She has been asked to present certified copies
of the documents.
According to the Parliamentary
directory, Nabbanja studied from St Edward SS Bukuumi for Ordinary and Advanced
levels and attained a Diploma in Democracy and Development studies from Uganda
Martyrs University, Nkozi in 1998 and a Bachelor’s Degree in the same filed in
2010. She is currently pursuing a Masters’ Degree in Democracy and Development Studies
at Uganda Martyrs University.
Meanwhile, the appointments
committee also reportedly queried Jackson Kafuuzi’s experience for the job of
Deputy Attorney General. Sources say Kafuuzi needs to prove that he has seven years
of experience as an advocate of the High Court.
Kafuuzi graduated with a Bachelor
of Laws Degree and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice between 2002 and
2003 and thereafter worked as a legal officer/advocate at Rwakafuuzi & Co.
Advocates.
“The committee was concerned that
his experience is not enough, and for this the Speaker referred the matter also
for scrutiny saying, they will check with High Court records to look at his
experience”, another source who attended the meeting told URN.
URN also learnt that although
Igara East MP Raphael Magyezi performed well with his interaction with the
committee for his new Local Government docket, the committee asked him about
his role in forging a Kampala Capital City report while he was the vice
chairperson of the Local Government committee report. It is said Magyezi
assisted the chair Isingiro Woman MP Grace Byarugaba to craft a report.
Magyezi told URN after his
meeting with the committee that the issue came up, and he told them the truth,
he didn’t forge a report.
Alex Otto
Freelancer