By Sandra Birungi

So far, eleven members of parliament have written  to the speaker’s office with the intention of withdrawing their signatures from the petition to recall parliament over the issue of Butaleja Woman MP, Cerinah Nebanda’s death.However the petitioners have backed at the MPs stating that they signed when they were of sound mind adding that their decision is irreversible.

Leader petitioner, Dennis Obua says it was just a waste of time for those who wrote to withdraw their names because the issue was already in parliament. “In the 6th Parliament, when 17 MPs wanted to withdraw their names from the petition for censuring Jim Muhwezi, the Speaker did not allow it,” Obua said.

Those who wrote to withdraw their names include Kyenjojo woman MP Lyndah Timbigamba, Nakaseke County MP Edward Ssempala, Kiruhura woman MP Beatrice Barumba Rusaniya, Bikwe North MP Kakoba Onyango, Kasanda County North MP Godfrey Lubega and Mpigi woman MP Sarah Nakawunde. Other legislators said to have withdrawn their names include Kole County MP Fred Ebil, Samia Bugwe North MP John Mulimba, and Bunghoko North MP Yahaya Gudoi.

Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda said the two MPs – Lyndah Timbigamba and Fred Ebil – who claimed their signatures on the list of 126 MPs had been forged, were telling lies. “I am shocked that Timbigamba claims we forged her signature when she signed from her home after serving us with food and drinks,” Nganda said.

“I am the one who gave Ebil the papers to sign and sent it back after signing. He should be the last to claim that his signature was forged. For Timbigamba it is understandable because NRM MPs are under pressure but Ebil most have been motivated by financial gains,” Nganda said.

Nganda went on to add, “That will happen for the first time because in the 6th Parliament, the then-Speaker James Wapakhabulo ruled that no one can withdraw a name from a petition except through court. What they are engaged in is simply an academic exercise.”