Tensions were high at today’s COSASE meeting, where officials from the Uganda Printing and Publishing Company (UPPC) were questioned about the Ugx7 billion scandal created by poor management.
The Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE), a parliamentary accounting committee, descended into chaos as members of Parliament protested the committee head, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi’s, conduct.
MPs who raised procedural issues one after the other were disappointed when Ssenyonyi refused to follow their advice to adjourn proceedings.
The Members of Parliament argued that the sitting should be postponed because they hadn’t received all of the requested papers from Uganda Printing and Publishing Company (UPPC).
Ssenyonyi, obstinate and dictatorial, persisted on proceeding until the MPs threatened to storm out.
“We can’t proceed like this without any documents, and even if they bring them now, 15 minutes won’t be enough for us to read through them and make informed decisions,” Dan Kimosho, Kazo County MP, said.
Kasilo County MP Elijah Okupa reacted furiously, saying Ssenyonyi was acting like a dictator, which was unacceptable.
“The chairman’s dictatorial behaviour and refusal to listen to suggestions from fellow MPs who requested that before proceeding, they should have all necessary information from UPPC was not only unfair but also unacceptable,” Okupa said.
Ssenyoyi eventually caved in to pressure and asked members to remain calm while directing the UPPC leadership to bring all required documents to the next committee meeting.