East African Gazette
Kampala
The efforts for the National Unity Platform (NUP) party to have the former Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mathias Mpuuga removed as Commissioner of Parliament, seem to have hit a rock after the Speaker of Parliament rejected their request.
![](https://eastafricangazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/mpuuga-01-1.jpg)
Following corruption allegations leveled against him, the party’s National Executive Committee nominated MP Francis Zaake to replace him.
Earlier on, the party top leadership led by their leader Robert Kyagulanyi had asked Mpuuga to step down and also refund the shs500million they are allegedly awarded themselves with other Commissioners, in a meeting which was chaired by the Speaker of Parliament Anitah Among.
However, Mpuuga insisted that he would not step down nor refund the money.
While addressing the media at Parliament, Mpuuga said he is not leaving the party either and is ready to fight for reforms within the party.
Parliament has powers
In a letter dated March 26, 2024, addressed to NUP, formally rejected the party’s request to replace Mpuuga as Commissioner of Parliament because he was elected by Parliament.
She went on to remind NUP that political parties only stop at nominating candidates while the appointment and dismissal is the work of Parliament.
Among noted that Parliament Commissioners are elected by Parliament… and once elected, commissioners cease to serve individual party interests but serve Parliament.
She cited Section 5 of Article 83 of the Constitution, which outlines the grounds for removing a commission member, except for the Speaker and the Leader of Government Business.
“A member of the commission. may be removed from office by Parliament for inability to perform the functions of his or her office arising from infirmity of the body or mind, misbehaviour, misconduct, or incompetence,” reads the letter.