Following Nathan Nandala Mafabi’s decision to discharge him as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) whip in Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has asked for reprieve from Rt. Hon. Anita Among, the Speaker of Parliament.
According to a Katonga faction source, Ssemuju went to the speaker and asked her to revoke Secretary General Mafabi’s letter, which resulted in his replacement by MP Yusuf Nsibambi of Mawokota South County in Mpigi district.
“In accordance with Section 6(1), the Party hereby appoints Hon. Yusuf Nsibambi as the Party Whip of the FDC, to replace Hon. Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda,” said Mafabi.
The speaker expressed her willingness to provide assistance and confirmed her commitment to collaborate with the legal committee at Parliament regarding the issue at hand.
However, following the consultation meeting, Among highlighted that Parliament was unable to revoke the letter due to its unquestionable authenticity.
“As the Secretary General of FDC, Nandala Mafabi has the authority to fire any party member, and as parliament, our hands are tied,” Among said.
Among, however, strongly recommended that Ssemujju engage in a constructive dialogue with Mafabi, emphasising the urgency of addressing the matter promptly.
Earlier this week, Ssemujju responded to his recent dismissal by asserting that Mafabi, the one responsible for his removal as the party whip in Parliament, does not possess the necessary legal authority to carry out such an action.
“Nandala has no right to sack me like they’re purporting because they did not appoint me,” said MP Ssemujju.
In the statement, Ssemujju expressed his view that assuming the role of the party whip in parliament holds no extraordinary significance. He further asserted that if others were genuinely interested in taking up the position, he would readily relinquish it to them.
According to party members, it comes as a shock that, after making such a statement, he now went to reclaim his position from the Speaker of Parliament, whom he has time and again maligned and belittled before parliament.
“This move has raised eyebrows; considering his history of repeatedly criticising and undermining the Speaker in front of the entire parliament, he has run to her for help. He must really be desperate,” an FDC party member stated.
According to sources, following his failed approach, Ssemujju is exploring legal aid to help him reclaim his position as FDC Whip in Parliament.
