Mao Finally Arrives at COSASE After CID Search, Told He Had ‘Lost His Way’

What the report says

Justice Minister Norbert Mao appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) after a brief delay that prompted committee members to ask CID officers attached to the committee to check whether he was inside the parliamentary buildings. According to Nile Post, the hearing was taking place on Tuesday as MPs examined issues involving the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB).

Committee chairperson Muwada Nkunyinji said the panel had expected Mao to honour an earlier commitment to attend and was concerned when he had not arrived at the scheduled start time. He told officers to confirm Mao’s whereabouts within Parliament and bring him to the room if found. The chairperson also made light of the delay, saying the minister appeared to have lost his way.

Mao later joined the session, after which Nkunyinji welcomed him and noted that committee members had been worried enough to send officers to look for him. The chair then asked the clerk to recall the officers and indicated that Mao would be heard after other scheduled business was completed.

The broader hearing focused on URSB matters, including questions linked to the Auditor General’s report for the year ended December 2025 and directives from the Inspectorate of Government on appointments. The episode highlighted COSASE’s continued scrutiny of state agencies and Parliament’s insistence that invited officials appear before committees when summoned.