The ruling National Resistance Movement Party (NRM) has dropped most of its MPs who voted against the lifting of the presidential age limit. The Party Chief Whips made shake ups in the constitution of Committees that saw a number of Committee bosses dropped.

Ruth Nankabirwa, the Government Chief Whip took the lead on the NRM side designating Janet Okiro-moe and Lawrence Akuzibwa as the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of Agriculture Committees respectively.

Henry Musasizi retained his slot as Chairperson of the Finance Committee, although his deputy Loy Katali (Jinja Woman MP) was dropped from the Committee.

Defence and Internal Affairs Committee that oversees Ministry of Defence and Internal Affairs chairperson Judith Nabakooba and her deputy Mbogo Kezekia were dropped and replaced by Doreen Amule and Moses Nagwomu.

On the Committee of East African Community Affairs, George Ouma and Agnes Amede have been named as the top MPs on the Committee, while Committee of Education registered some changes with Connie Nakayenze Galiwango being dropped as head and replaced by her deputy Jacob Opolot as the new Chairperson.

There were also changes on the Foreign Affairs Committee where NRM brought fresh blood Hood Katuramu and Violet Akurut, pushing out Rose Mutonyi who was dropped as Chairperson.

The designation on the Gender and Labour Committee raised eyebrows when Nankabirwa named Beatrice Anywar who is an Independent MP to deputise Alex Ndeezi who has retained his seat as Chairperson on the gender Committee.

NRM also designated Gaffa Mbwatekamwa as a member on the Gender Committee, a decision the Legislator protested arguing that he only applied on the Committee of health. “I don’t know if it is a punishment. Where the member has never applied and the member will never perform?” he asked.

But he was cut short by Denis Obua who schooled him on the Rules of Procedure (Rule 183) arguing that all committees are equal and there is no way Mbwatekwmwa can argue that being designated to Gender is a punishment.

Indeed, Kadaga ruled Mbwatekamwa out of order. But in response, Medard Sseggona who was acting as Opposition Chief Whip told Mbwatekamwa that the only solution he has is to cross from the ruling party to opposition.

Bukenya Michael retained his seat as Chairperson of Health Committee and is set to be deputized by Esperanza Baguma who replaces Hellen Kahunde (Kirayandongo Woman).

Hood Katuramu is set to taste the privileges of being Committee Chairperson after being named head Foreign Affairs and is set to be deputized by Vincent Akurut with the two set to preside over Connie Nakayenze who was dumped as Chairperson Education Committee.

The ICT committee has seen Annet Nyaketcho retain her position as Chairperson and is to be deputized by Paul Amoru.

On the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Jacob Oboth bounced back as Chairperson, but that wasn’t the same case with his deputy Robinah Rwakoojo who was replaced by Sam Bitangara yet Monicah Amoding who has been passionate about legal matters was kicked off the Committee and discarded to the Trade and Tourism Committee. Meanwhile, Paul Mwiru joins his opposition counterparts like; Abdu Katuntu, Ssemujju Nganda, Medard Sseggona and Mathias Mpugga.

The Natural Resources committee that oversees the activities of the Energy sector has had Kiwanuka Keefa elevated as Chairperson having served as Vice Chairperson, with Alex Byaruhanga dropped as Committee Chairperson.

Following allegations of mishandling the investigations into the mandatory vehicle inspections, Lillian Nakate was dropped as Chairperson Physical Infrastructure Committee and replaced by Kafeero Ssekitoleko, with Kumama Nsamba retaining his slot as Vice Chairperson.

Presidential Affairs Committee also saw some changes although Jessica Ababiku retained her seat, Susan Amero who was earlier snubbed as Chairperson when Fred Mwesigye was dropped, she was further punished by having her slot taken over by new comer Esther Anyakuni.

The designation of members on the Public Service and Local Government saw Godfrey Onzima retain his place as Chairperson of the Committee and is going to be designated by Elizabeth Kalungi

Fred Bwino and David Mutebi were designated as Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of Science and Technology Committee.

The controversy surrounding the handling of the Sugar Bill 2016 must have cost former heads of Trade and Tourism their places with Robert Kasule and Lawrence Mwangusya named to take over the from Alex Ruhunda.

There were also changes on the Equal Opportunities where Hellen Asamo and Robinah Rwakoojo were designated to take over the leadership and had Muhammad Nsereko dropped as Chairperson.