Mercy Nalugo & R. Wanambwa
5 November 2008
Kampala — The NRM Caucus has unanimously absolved ministers for Security Amama Mbabazi and for Finance Ezra Suruma of any wrong doing in the Temangalo land scandal.
The decision discarded the recommendations of a two-month parliamentary inquiry and went with the minority report presented last week by the six pro Mbabazi MPs.
The decision was said to be backed by the party leader, President Museveni, who reportedly said during an NRM meeting at State House in Entebbe last Monday that the transaction was a fair deal.
Even as the NRM caucus resolved to put the two ministers off the hook, Mr Mbabazi and Dr Suruma reportedly apologised before the caucus for any mistakes made in the course of the transactions. It was not clear what the mistakes could be.
Addressing a press conference that was presided over by the Ethics and Integrity Minister Nsaba Buturo, government chief whip Masiko Kabakumba, NRM Caucus spokesperson Kasozi Muyomba, NRM party Treasurer David Bahati and NRM overall spokesperson Mary Karooro Okurut at Parliament yesterday, the legislators sent out a warning to anyyone who deviates from the caucus position.
"Once we come up with a common position, it's a must for all the members to support it and all of us must defend it in the House. No member is expected to deviate from this position and failure to do so shall attract disciplinary action," Ms Kabakumba warned.
The Commissions, Statutory Authority and State Enterprises Committee among others investigated whether there was influence peddling, conflict of interest, value for money and whether the procurement laws were followed. All the recommendations that were carried by the NRM caucus are contained in the minority report.
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