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Uganda: Otto, Okupa Oppose Akech
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New Vision (Kampala)
14 May 2008
Posted to the web 15 May 2008
Kampala
MPs Odonga Otto (Aruu) and Elijah Okupa (Kasilo) have opposed the appointment of former security minister Betty Akech as ambassador.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday at Parliament, the MPs argued that Akech should not be an envoy because she poured wine on a diplomat at a cocktail party organised by the American Embassy in Makindye in 2004.
"We have no personal vendetta against Akech, but her appointment is unfortunate. She has a record of diplomatic blunders," Otto said.
"This was a national embarrassment since Akech did not apologise."
Okupa said Akech would serve better as director of the Kyankwanzi political school or as a resident district commissioner.
"We want people with clean records. How will she relate with diplomats? Let her apologise to Ugandans. Short of that, we will oppose her appointment."
Otto warned of further steps incase Parliament appointed her as an envoy.
"We shall write to missions abroad cautioning them on Akech's experience in splashing wine."
However, the parliamentary appointments committee yesterday approved Akech's nomination after she was recommended by President Yoweri Museveni last month.
Appearing before the committee, Akech denied the allegations by Otto and Elijah, sources said.
The Speaker, who chairs the committee, had asked her to comment on the allegations.
Akech said: "It did not happen. You can't have such an international incident and protests are not raised. Americans should have complained. They did not."
She said the two MPs were free to do what they wanted.
"I don't think the President would appoint somebody who is not capable."
Akech, a former MP for Gulu district, served as minister for security, state minister for higher education, local government and health.
The committee also approved four people nominated by the President as members of the Uganda Land Commission.
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They were former MP Ruth Owagage, Margaret Akello, Johnson Okwir Okulo, a retired secondary school administrator and Faith Namakholo Wanalobi, a teacher. Two nominees Lily Badaru and Joseph Kyaligonza did not turn up for vetting
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