Kasambya County MP and Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Secretary General Daudi Kabanda has responded to Dr Lawrence Muganga’s allegations over his failed nomination for State Minister for Internal Affairs, defending the integrity of the parliamentary vetting process and dismissing claims of bias.
Kabanda questioned Muganga’s assertion that his rejection was influenced by prejudice or predetermined outcomes, insisting that Parliament operates under clear procedural rules that apply equally to all nominees.
“Thank you for this insight VC, but as far as I know, and basing on the records from Parliament, all the other nominees who had the same issue like yours presented to the committee evidence of renunciation of American citizenship,” Kabanda said.
He challenged Muganga to clarify whether he had presented similar documentation to the Appointments Committee regarding his alleged Canadian and Rwandan citizenship status.
“Just to prove them wrong, did you present the same to the committee ie for Canada and Rwanda?” he asked, adding that he was speaking from experience as a long-serving member of the Appointments Committee.
Kabanda noted that he has served on the committee for five years and understands its procedures, stressing that decisions are guided by legal and constitutional requirements rather than personal opinions.
“Just a point of privilege, I have been a member of the appointments committee for the last five years and I know how it operates basing on the rules,” he said.
He further dismissed allegations that Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa or any member of the committee had targeted Muganga or predetermined the outcome of the vetting process.
“The narrative of Hon. Tayebwa wanting to fail you because the committee must fail at least one person is not true because the President has been appointing people to serve in different departments and we have never failed any basing on the above accusations,” Kabanda stated.
According to Kabanda, the vetting process is designed to assess suitability, including citizenship compliance, declarations, and eligibility under Ugandan law, and not to single out individuals based on identity or political considerations.
He also rejected claims that Muganga’s Banyarwanda identity played any role in the committee’s decision, saying several members of the community continue to serve in government without discrimination.
“We have very many Banyarwanda serving government even as ministers and nobody has ever victimized any because they’re Banyarwanda,” he said.
Kabanda’s remarks come amid growing public debate over Muganga’s rejection, which has triggered competing narratives over whether the decision was based on citizenship documentation gaps or alleged bias within the vetting process.
Muganga had earlier alleged that the process was unfair and driven by discrimination, claims Kabanda now firmly disputes, insisting that Parliament’s procedures remain grounded in law and precedent.