“I didn’t need NUP positions,” MP Mapenduzi who led Zaake censure speaks out

Bardege-Layibi Member of Parliament Martin Ojara Mapenduzi says he did not lobby for the position of chairperson of Local Government committee which was allocated to him by the opposition National Unity Platform party.

Speaking about his appointment by the NRM to head another related committee given to him by the Chief government whip Hamson Obua, Mapenduzi says he does not belong to any political party.

“I came to parliament as an Independent. I am here to serve my country due to my expertise in the affairs of local government. NUP should not make any noise for me,” Mapenduzi said. “I accept my appointment and I will happily serve. NUP people should heal. I am not their property,” he added.

FDC party spokesperson who doubles as Kiira municipality MP Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda protested Mapenduzi’s appointment to the NRM side, saying it is unconstitutional for a Member to cross to a different party at such a time.

NUP mouthpiece Joel Ssenyonyi said they had always sought to interdict Mapenduzi when they knew about his unreliability.

“We tried to reshuffle him (Mapenduzi) but you saw how the speaker (Anita Among) defended him,” Ssenyonyi says.