Five outspoken NRM legislators have scoffed at calls for them to appear before the ruling party's disciplinary committee, chaired by Secretary General Amama Mbabazi.

The five are required to defend themselves against claims of misconduct in Parliament, especially opposing party positions. Last year, NRM Chief Whip Justine Kasule Lumumba referred MPs Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East), Vincent Mujuni Kyamadidi (Rwampara), Dr Chris Baryomunsi (Kinkizi East) and Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga West) to the committee.

However, they all say they haven't received the summons.

"I need to get that communication from her in writing but as far as I'm concerned, I'm not aware ... I have not seen any summons for me," Ssekikubo said.

Kyamadidi was surprised at the fresh summons. "I wonder how the chief whip chose to summon us through the media instead of officially writing to us as members Parliament and the NRM party."

Niwagaba, too, was unfazed by the summons. "I'm standing by my position because I'm not a coward and I'm not apologetic. I'm very ready for anything that will come next even if it means expelling me from NRM," Niwagaba vowed.

However, Lumumba was emphatic, "the MPs in question must appear before the week given to them elapses. Although I did not write their summons, they should appear; otherwise, they will face disciplinary action," Lumumba said.