OPPOSITION MPs DEMAND IMMIDIATE RELEASE OF THEIR COLLEGUES

By; Newsroom

Opposition Members of Parliament have condemned the manner in which 25 legislatures suspended from the House were manhandled by security.

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga suspended 25 members for instigating chaos which led to the suspension of the house proceedings on Tuesday.

Those suspended for three sittings include; Allan Sewanyana, Monica Amoding, Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Betty Nambooze, Mohammad Nsereko, Mubarak Munyagwa, Dr Sam Lyomoki, Barnabas Tinkasimire, Francis Zaake, Gilbert Olanya, Jonathan Ojur, Moses Kasibante, Ibrahim Kasozi, Angelline Osegge and William Nzoghu.

Others are Roland Mugume, Muwanga Kivumbi, Wilfred Niwagaba, Joseph Sewungu, Mbwatekamwa Gaffa and John Baptist Nambetsye.

Also suspended is Mukono North MP, also Water State Minister Ronald Kibuule, whose possession of a gun inside Parliament has been confirmed by the Speaker. It is this issue, raised by opposition MPs that sparked off yesterday’s fracas.

After today’s suspensions and the resultant chaos, 25 Members of Opposition walked out of the house in protest and addressed a press conference stating that Speaker Kadaga has betrayed Ugandans by acting out of pressure from the state.

Winnie Kiiza, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, said the line has been drawn and those who remain in Parliament to support the lifting of the age limits should be seen by the world.

Kiiza noted that many MPs have been arrested and their whereabouts are unknown, while others are badly injured. She stated that as opposition they will not give up, but continue fighting for justice and democracy in Uganda.

She has now called upon the Government to release the MPs adding that their voters are concerned about their well-being. She says Ugandans will remember this in history and ensure that the people who caused the chaos are dealt with.

John Baptist Nambetsye, the Manjia county MP, a known opponent of the proposal, stated that he will take legal redress to hold some policemen accountable. He says Government too must be challenged in court for raiding Parliament.