Opposition Fail to Collect Enough Signatures, Withdraw Censure Motion against Minister Muhwezi

The opposition has withdrawn its censure motion against the Minister of Security, Rtd. Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, after failure to collect enough signatures to bring the motion to the floor of Parliament.

The censure motion collapsed after the opposition Members of Parliament failed to raise the required 176 signatures to move the motion to the next phase.

“The time we had for Members to append their signatures in support of the Motion of Censure against Security Minister Gen Jim Muhwezi has elapsed today with 88 signatures,” announced the Leader of Opposition in Parliament Hon Mathias Mpuuga on Thursday.

“We needed signatures from 176 MPs to take the motion to the next level. We are not disappointed!!”

He said two MPs; Hon Santa Okot (Aruu North/PPP) and Hon Jimmy Lwanga (Njeru Municipality/NUP) couldn’t sign because they are out of the country.

The Opposition sponsored a motion seeking to censure Security Minister Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi has lapsed.#NTVNews pic.twitter.com/FUtvETDinZ

— NTV UGANDA (@ntvuganda) February 24, 2022

“I thank the colleagues from the political formations for choosing to stand with the oppressed… Our efforts now turn to another motion, calling for an inquest into the gross human rights violations across the country as we continue to demand for justice & freedom. We urge all Ugandans, especially the victims, to reach out to our MPs and register their complaints.”

Mpuuga clarified that as the oppisiton, they are not witch-hunting Gen Muhwezi but he is the Minister for Security, and therefore answerable for the gross violations of human rights by security agencies.

Hon Ssemujju Nganda, on his part, said although the Opposition have not been able to attain the required number of signatures to push the censure motion against Security Minister, Jim Muhwezi, they would still use other avenues including the floor of Parliament.

Hon @SsemujjuNganda says although the Opposition have not been able to attain the required number of signatures to push the censure motion against Security Minister, Jim Muhwezi, they would still use other avenues including the floor of Parliament. #MonitorUpdates
📹 @DavyLubz pic.twitter.com/ITVWoFT9ao

— Daily Monitor (@DailyMonitor) February 24, 2022

Meanwhile, the Government Chief Whip Thomas Tayebwa lauded the NRM Parliamentary caucus for keeping the unity.

“Despite their dedicated mobilisation, by final day the opposition managed to raise only 88 signatures against the censure of comrade @jkmuhwezi. No single signature from @NRMOnline. Over 20 opposition MPs refused to sign,” he tweeted.

From the onset we told you that the petition was dead on arrival since it was aimed at blackmailing our hard working comrade and government. If any one wanted to test our unity as a party, they have seen. Let us now focus on national interests than victimisation of each other.

— Thomas Tayebwa (@Thomas_Tayebwa) February 24, 2022