MPs Push to Censure Finance Minister Musasizi Over Shs140bn Basajjabalaba Guarantee

Henry Musasizi, the Minister of Finance Planning and Economic Development

The Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) has suspended its proceedings until Tuesday, when members will decide whether to move a motion to censure Finance Minister Henry Musasizi.

Musasizi was expected to appear before the committee alongside Bank of Uganda Governor and businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba over a Shs140 billion guarantee issued to the businessman by the central bank to enable him secure loans from commercial banks, following directives from the Ministry of Finance.

His absence prompted the committee to direct the Parliamentary CID to locate him and bring him before the committee, with members suggesting he might have lost his way.

However, CID officers led by Chemonges Fredrick returned to Parliament reporting that they had been informed by the ministry’s undersecretary that the minister and all junior ministers were out of Kampala and could not establish when they would return.

The development prompted some MPs to propose censuring Musasizi for failure to appear before the committee, triggering disagreements and a heated exchange.

The confrontation culminated in Rubanda West MP Bruce Kabaasa using unparliamentary language against Bamunanika County MP Robert Ssekitoleeko.

Committee Chairperson Muwada Nkunyingi asked Kabaasa to withdraw the remarks, but Kabaasa reportedly maintained that the words were not on record. The chairperson then ruled that the appropriate course of action regarding the minister’s absence will be discussed on Tuesday and all sittings suspended until then.

Meanwhile, businessman Hassan Basajjabalaba appealed to the committee to give the minister the benefit of doubt, saying there must have been a serious reason that prevented him from attending, especially since he had earlier committed to appear.

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