John Odit, the Member of Parliament for Erute South Constituency, who has been in the news for chairing a parliamentary committee investigating the National Social Security Fund Temangalo land scam has been fired from his position in the committee.
Odit was relieved of his duties as chairperson of the Parliamentary Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises Committee by Kasiano Wadri, the opposition Chief Whip. Wadri said Odit's attendance in parliament is irregular and the opposition is unhappy with the way he has been handling the NSSF Temangalo probe.
Odit is a member of the Uganda People's Congress, which gave Odit the green light to fire his from the committee. His duties will now be assumed by his deputy, Johnson Malinga of Kapelebyong County. Malinga will be deputized by Abdul Katuntu of Bugweri County.
The investigations of the Parliamentary Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises Committee are of great public interest because the irregular purchase of land in Temangalo, Wakiso district by the NSSF involves several senior politicians and businessmen like Security Minister Amama Mbabazi and Hot Loaf Bakery proprietor, Amos Nzeyi.
Announcing Odit's sacking to the media, Kasiano Wadri said it was a shame that at a crucial moment in the committee's public hearings, the Erute MP had decided to take a trip to the U.S. without informing his party or the opposition leaders.
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During the hearing of the parliamentary committee today, the State Minister for Local Government, Hope Mwesigye, was questioned about phone text messages she sent to several committee members soliciting for their help in protecting Amama Mbabazi from the probe. She defended her actions, saying she felt Mbabazi was being witch hunted by the committee and she was concerned for him because he is her brother-in-law.
