The Chairperson of Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), Muwada Nkunyingi, has warned parliamentary technical staff against allegedly manipulating committee reports and findings, saying the committee will investigate any discrepancies between decisions adopted by Parliament and records subsequently transmitted to government agencies.
Nkunyingi said the committee had received information implicating some technical officers in the alleged alteration of parliamentary records, adding that members had been given the names of some staff suspected of involvement. However, he said COSASE had not established whether any of its own reports had been doctored. Addressing committee members and the technical team, Nkunyingi said the committee would scrutinise not only reports adopted by Parliament but also the versions subsequently communicated to the Executive and other government institutions.
He said the committee would formally write to the Clerk to Parliament, the institution’s accounting officer, seeking clarification on the allegations and any discrepancies that may emerge. Nkunyingi warned that if investigations establish attempts to alter committee findings, COSASE would summon the Clerk to explain the differences between what Parliament adopted and the records transmitted to other government departments.
“For whatever reason, we shall seek to learn,” he said, stressing that the committee would rely on evidence rather than draw premature conclusions about the alleged misconduct. The warning comes as Parliament enters the second week of its staff validation exercise, which began on October 19, 2026, and is expected to run for two weeks.
The exercise covers more than 800 parliamentary employees, who are required to present documents, including appointment letters, academic qualifications and national identity cards, for verification. Nkunyingi made the remarks while informing members that COSASE had tabled its report on the Uganda Human Rights Commission before Parliament and that the House had adopted the committee’s observations and recommendations.
The allegations raise concerns about the integrity of the process through which parliamentary committee findings, decisions and recommendations are documented and communicated to institutions responsible for implementing them. Committee reports frequently examine the management of public resources, administrative conduct and suspected irregularities. Their recommendations may prompt government ministries, departments and agencies to conduct investigations, recover public funds or take other administrative and legal action.
Nkunyingi emphasised that COSASE was acting on information it had received and had not concluded that any named officer had manipulated its reports. He said the committee would first seek clarification and establish the facts before deciding on further action. The allegations emerge as Parliament conducts the staff validation exercise to verify employees’ credentials and employment records.
Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has previously cautioned parliamentary staff against seeking intervention from him or Speaker Jacob Markson Oboth-Oboth during the exercise, urging those with genuine documentation to cooperate with the verification process. The exercise is intended to establish the authenticity of staff records and ensure that Parliament’s personnel information is accurate.
Although the validation exercise and the alleged manipulation of committee reports concern different aspects of Parliament’s administration, both have drawn attention to staff conduct, the integrity of official records, and institutional accountability-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
