Ministers Nantaba, Namuganza Being Investigated for Trading Insults in Public

Government Chief Whip Ruth Nankabirwa has told Parliament that a cabinet sub-committee had been instituted to investigate the conduct of State Minister of ICT and National Guidance Idah Nantaba and her successor State Minister of Lands Persis Namuganza.

Nantaba and Namuganza have been trading insults since the start of the year, with each accusing the other of being incompetent.

Namuganza reportedly accused Nantaba of being a prostitute, while Nantaba said she doubted Namuganza’s intelligence and ability to sort out land matters.

Nankabirwa was responding to complaints by MPs on Tuesday as Parliament resumed after a one-week recess. She said the probe into the ministers’ conduct would be headed by deputy premier Moses Ali.

Elijah Okupa (Kasilo County MP) was angry that government had failed to handle this matter that put the ethical conduct of government officers in bad light.

“This is very disheartening for a lady to call a fellow lady a prostitute. These ministers are MPs; so, they should be brought to book and face the Rules and Discipline committee,” MP Okupa said.

Joseph Ssewungu (Kalungu West) also narrated how Namuganza had stung Nantaba on radio.

“Madam Speaker, this matter is escalating. We are talking about Namuganza, who is not very common in Parliament, but there are other members who are doing the same. Members of Parliament are not small people by the way. We are presidential material,” Ssewungu said, drawing laughter in the House.

Marion Ayebazibwe