Kampala, Uganda | Oyam North County MP Eunice Apio Otuko(UPC) has been named among a select group of legislators who will scrutinise President Yoweri Museveni’s newly appointed ministers when Parliament’s Appointments Committee begins vetting candidates on Monday, June 1st.
The committee, constituted during Thursday’s plenary sitting of the 12th Parliament, is chaired by Speaker Jacob Marksons Oboth and deputised by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.
Apio Otuko joins representatives from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), opposition political parties and independent legislators in one of Parliament’s most influential committees responsible for approving presidential appointments.
Other opposition members on the committee include Betty Aol Ocan (PFF), Lucy Akello (FDC), Peter Okot (DP), Joel Ssenyonyi (NUP), Paul Mwiru (NUP), Sheilah Draville Amaniyo (NUP), Joseph Gonzaga Ssewungu (NUP) and Ismail Kasule (ANT).
The committee also includes independent legislators Esther Acom (Serere Woman MP), Angella Akoth Nzokire (Tororo Woman MP), Herbert Kinobere (Kibuku County) and Emmanuel Ongiertho Jor (Nebbi Municipality).
On the NRM side, members include Catherine Akumu Mavenjina, Jane Avur Pacuto, Betty Awor Engola, Annet Birungi, Sam Byibesho, Elma Challa Kapel, Steven Gashaija Shyaka, Ruth Katushabe, Stephen Kisa Bakubalwayo, Sowedi Kitanywa, Keefa Kiwanuka, Christine Lanyero Awany, Irene Linda, Asha Mafabi Nabulo, Judith Nagujja, Faith Nakut Loru, Alex Ndeezi, Madina Ntale Nsereko, Johnson Nyeko Kezekiya, Simon Peter Opolot-Okwalinga, Beatrice Rwakimari, Robina Rwakojo Gureme, Genensio Tumuramye and Fadil Twalla.
The committee’s first assignment comes after Parliament approved an increase in the number of Cabinet ministers from 21 to 30 and Ministers of State from 21 to 51 following a motion moved by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
Government argued that the expansion is necessary to meet growing governance demands and strengthen oversight of key programmes such as the Parish Development Model, Emyooga and climate resilience initiatives.
However, opposition legislators including Betty Nambooze and Paul Mwiru opposed the move, arguing that government should instead reduce expenditure on political offices and channel more resources towards service delivery.
With the committee now in place, all eyes will be on the vetting process, where Apio Otuko and fellow legislators will determine which ministerial nominees are fit to serve in President Museveni’s new administration.
