Parliament business grinds to a halt over MPs arrested in Arua

Parliament business has come to a standstill, with members demanding Government to reveal the whereabouts of their four colleagues who were arrested on Monday over chaos that broke out in Arua town, leading to the death of a one Yasin Kawuma.

The MPs across the political divide, led by Leader of Opposition, Betty Aol Ocan, in an oral motion, called for the suspension of any form of business in the House until, Government explains where the four lawmakers that were arrested are being detained, charge them in gazetted courts of law or release them unconditionally.

The MPs under question are Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality), Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine (Kyadondo East), Gerald Karuhanga (Ntungamo Municipality) and Paul Mwiru (Jinja East).

The four were rounded up together with Arua Municipality independent candidate Kassiano Wadri and over 30 of his supporters, following a clash with supporters of NRM's Nusura Tiperu in which the presidential motorcade was reportedly attacked, leaving the rear windscreen of one of the cars smashed.

Former Makindye East representative Michael Mabbike was also not spared, while Bobi's driver Kawuma was shot dead. Six others were severely injured.

Quoting fallen musician Philip Lutaaya's song Alone, Aol told members that business cannot continue as usual while their colleagues were rotting in unknown security cells.

Her seconder, Julius Ochan (Kapelebyong County), said that photos of a battered and bruised Zaake were making rounds on social media yet Government continues to remain tight-lipped.

Joseph Ssewungu (Kalungu West) said the ruling NRM party is making efforts to return the country to a single party state through use of violence and clamping down on dissent but the move might backfire.

On Tuesday, Speaker Rebecca Kadaga pledged to use her powers to force police to release the MPs or take them to court but by press time, she had not updated the House on developments made.

Police yesterday said that the arrested MPs were armed and aware of a truck decorated with red ribbons that attempted to obstruct the President's convoy.