Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The designate Minister of Works and Transport General Edward Katumba Wamala says that he receives daily briefings about the ongoing investigations into an attack which almost claimed his life early this month.
Katumba made the statement shortly after appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee which was vetting persons who were recently appointed to the executive by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Katumba, the former Chief of Defence Forces survived an assassination attempt on June 1, along Kisota road in Kisaasi, a Kampala suburb when gun wielding men severally shot at his car. The shooting claimed the life of his daughter Brenda Nantongo and his driver Haruna Kayondo.
Although Katumba declined to divulge details of the investigations during an interview with journalists at Parliament on Wednesday, Katumba said that he gets daily briefings on how far the investigators have gone. He added that his health is currently manageable and that he would resume work immediately after approved by the committee.
Katumba described his interface with the committee as lively and that the committee members questioned him about his plans, his achievements and challenges.
Besides Gen. Katumba, the Appointments Committee sitting chaired by the Deputy Speaker Anita Among also interfaced with several other appointed Ministers as the vetting process entered day three. They included Jennifer Kacha Namuyangu, Bright Rwamirama, Hellen Adoa, and Jackson Kafuuzi.
The others are Jacob Oboth Markson, Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, Magode Ikuya, Dr Ongalo Obote and others.
Jennifer Namuyangu, the Minister of State designate for Bunyoro Affairs said that she is to focus on the protection of environment in Bunyoro region and lobby for a public university in Bunyoro as she starts the tenure.
Jackson Kafuuzi, the Deputy Attorney General designate said that the committee members raised concern in regard to increasing salaries of state attorneys and also the continued failure of students at the Law Development Center – LDC.
Jacob Oboth, the Minister of State for Defence designate said that his interface with the committee was mainly about the public image of the army and the pension for veterans which he says he took note of since he is a new minister who is yet to take office.
Dr John Chrysostom Muyingo, the Minister of State for Higher Education said that his Ministry will continue looking for resources to motivate teachers and provide quality infrastructure.
The Appointments Committee is scheduled to interface with more ministerial appointees on Thursday.
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