MP Ssewanyana's Kiruddu protest halted

Police engaged in a heated exchange with Makindye West Member of Parliament Allan Ssewanyana as he attempted to speak to the area residents over the hospital's poor hygiene.

The MP who was in the company of some of his supporters, engaged in a scuffle which ended with him get arrested and taken to an unknown Police station.

It is alleged that Ssewanyana had organised to meet with his constituents near the hospital's sewerage line where the issue arose from.

However, their plans were thwarted by Police officers who directed Ssewanyana to return to his car. The MP, however, defied the directive and went on to address the people who had gathered near the hospital.

He said Parliament had appropriated money to fix the sewerage system of the hospital but up to now, no work has been done. 

Police deployed outside the hospital in anticipation of Ssewanyana's arrival. Photo by Agnes Nantambi

"I suspect the money we appropriated in Parliament to improve services and the sewerage system of the hospital went to wrong hands. I want these people to tell us where the money went so that we take action," he said.

Police then confiscated the public address system Ssewanyana was using and threatened to arrest him in accordance with the Public Order Management Act. He said he knew the law very well and whatever he was doing was in accordance with the law. 

Gideon Ssentongo Lukwago the defence secretary of Valley Zone points out the deep trench where sewerage from Kiruddu Hospital passes. Photo by Agnes Nantambi

Having lost patience, Police eventually put Ssewanyana on to a Police van and taken to an unknown destination.

Gideon Ssentongo Lukwago, the defence secretary for Valley Zone in Salaama, Munyonyo, said the hospital is a death trap and patients contract diseases instead of receiving treatment.

"The rains are on the way but the sewerage system of this hospital is our worry because we risk contracting cholera," he said.