Members of Parliament have questioned the status of Sheema North MP, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye as a legislator a day after he picked nomination forms to run in the forthcoming election in the newly created municipality of Sheema.
Fellow legislators piled pressure on Elioda who doubles as Minister for Science and Technology to resign his position as MP if he is interested in contesting in the election, as the law requires.
On Wednesday, Elioda’s attempts to present his Ministry’s paper met resistance from some MPs including Aruu county MP, Odonga Otto who asked him to clarify on his status.
“Madam Speaker, I don’t understand why the same man who was nominated yesterday to become MP is today presenting before us, is he campaigning in front of us,” Otto asked.
But to his defense, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga ruled that he (Elioda) was still the MP.
The House continued to debate other issues until Kadaga got a clear interpretation on the matter.
Her ruling however was challenged by several members of the House who urged Elioda to first resign his position as an MP before vying for the seat in the new constituency.
Otto submitted that for a sitting MP to contest in another Parliamentary election was a wastage of tax payers’ money.
“Why should we waste tax payers’ money, because now in the event that he stands and wins elections in Sheema Municipality, the Electoral Commission shall still have to hold a by-election. This is wasting tax payer’s money with impunity,” Otto contested.
But Speaker Kadaga maintained her ruling despite members raising several points of order and Elioda continued with his presentation.
Elioda as well told members that he is still an MP, noting that members should let the law to take its course.