A political dispute has emerged in Uganda’s Parliament after former Kira Municipality MP Ssemujju Nganda alleged that the House appointments committee declined a request for First Lady Janet Museveni to be vetted virtually via Zoom.
Nganda said the committee session held on Monday was marked by disagreement over whether the Education Minister could appear remotely for the constitutional vetting process, a move he argued would set a controversial precedent.
According to his account, members of the committee objected to the proposal, insisting on physical attendance.
He further claimed that repeated attempts by the Speaker to persuade members to allow the virtual appearance were unsuccessful.
“Hon Janet Kataha Museveni once again requested to be vetted on Zoom but committee members objected,” Nganda said.
“Speaker Oboth-Oboth tried twice to persuade members but failed. We are waiting to see what happens today; whether they are once again willing to bend the rules to accommodate Museveni family rule.”
Nganda also criticized what he described as prolonged absenteeism from parliamentary proceedings, alleging that the Education Minister had not physically appeared in the House over the past five years.
“For the entire five years, 2021–26, Kataha never stepped in parliament!” he added.
The Education Minister, Janet Museveni, has not publicly responded to the claims regarding the vetting process or the allegations of extended absence from parliamentary sittings.
The Speaker referenced in the remarks, Oboth Oboth, is said to have attempted mediation during the committee deliberations, though details of the proceedings remain limited to political accounts.
The vetting process for Cabinet appointments in Uganda has often drawn public scrutiny, particularly where questions arise over procedure, attendance, and executive influence in parliamentary oversight.