Expelled MPs can stay in the House for now - Court

By AndanteOkanya, Hillary Nsambu and Charles Etukuri

The Supreme Court has barred the Speaker of Parliament from implementing the orders of the Constitutional Court that ejected the four NRM rebel MPs from Parliament.

The Electoral Commission has also been ordered to halt any process to replace the MPs.

The five Justices of the Supreme Court said the MPs should stay in Parliament until the main application is determined.
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MPs celebrate with their supporters at Court. PHOTO/Abu Mwesigwa

The main application by the four seeking to permanently stop their expulsion from Parliament, is fixed for hearing on March 21.They are expected to present their reasons  why they should  complete their term which expires in 2016.

The four, Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Mohammad Nsereko (Kampala Central), Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East) and Barnabas Tinkasimire (Buyaga) were ejected from Parliament by the Constitutional Court.  

The Clerk to Parliament, Jane Kibirige, in a letter to Electoral Commission declared their seats vacant and the election body on Thursday announced April 17 as the election date to replace the expelled MPs.

Meanwhile Police battled supporters of rebel MPs who had come out to celebrate the Supreme Court decision.

Police sources told the New Vision that Kampala Central Member of Parliament Mohammed Nsereko and Lwemiyaga’s Theodore Ssekikubo were whisked away to Old Kampala Police Station where they have been detained. Also detained is Butambala MP Mwanga Kivumbi.

Police used teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds which had become rowdy at the notorious Kisekka market a hot sport for riots.

The MPs were later transfered to Kiira Police, where they are detained and will appear in court Friday morning charged with unlawfull assembly, defying orders and assault.