MPs debate arrest
Apr 22, 2005
MPS yesterday protested the arrest and remand of their colleagues Reagan Okumu (Aswa) and Ocula Nyeko (Kilak) in Luzira prison, on murder charges and demanded a speedy and fair trial.
By Cyprian Musoke
and Hamis Kaheru
MPS yesterday protested the arrest and remand of their colleagues Reagan Okumu (Aswa) and Ocula Nyeko (Kilak) in Luzira prison, on murder charges and demanded a speedy and fair trial.
Several opposition members carried placards into the chamber but were advised against displaying them by Speaker Edward Ssekandi.
Bugabula South MP Salaamu Musumba defiantly displayed her placard throughout the session, which read, “We say no to political persecution,†while others hang theirs on microphone stands.
Okumu and Ocula were arrested on Wednesday, over the February 12, 2002 murder of the LC3 chairman of Pabbo, Alfred Bongomin. In a statement to the house, internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda said the murder was hatched in MP Okumu’s house in Gulu.
Defence minister Amama Mbabazi said the NRM government restored the rule of law, to which everybody was subject.
Rugunda said Police investigations revealed that Ocula attended the meetings during which the murder was planned.
“Information received from the suspects indicated that the murder of Alfred Bongomin was a premeditated criminal act. The information suggested that planning of the crime was done in Hon. Reagan Okumu’s house in Gulu and that Hon. Okumu and Ocula are said to have participated in the meetings,†Rugunda said.
He said when investigations were completed, the matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecution, who noted that there were sufficient grounds to prefer charges.
He said since all people are equal before the law, anybody suspected of having committed a crime is entitled to a fair hearing before the courts.
“It is in pursuit of this fundamental objective that the two were arrested and charged. This house and the general public should let the law take its course,†he said.
Theodore Sekikubo (Lwemiyaga) wondered about the timing of the arrests, saying three years was a very long time for investigations not to have been completed.
Issa Kikungwe (Kyaddondo south) said if the Government did not restrain its officers from wantonly arresting members of the opposition, there was a danger of derailing the transition to multiparty politics.
“If this is going to continue, I’d rather die as bushman than languish in the prisons of Luzira,†he said.
Zachary Olum (Nwoya) said he was in 1991 arrested and detained for three weeks in Lira on trumped up treason charges, and called for a speedy trial of the MPs.
Mulindwa Birimumaaso (Bukoto west), Ssebuliba Mutumba (Kawempe south), Ken Lukyamuzi (Rubaga south) and John Kawanga (Masaka), who also said they had been arrested before, warned against arresting opponents on trumped up charges, saying it polluted the political environment.
John Kazoora (Kashaari) Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri), Ben Wacha (Oyam north), Ogenga Latigo (Agago) Emmanuel Dombo (Bunyole) Anang Odur (Kwania) and Jack Sabiiti (Rukiga) all condemned the arrest.
and Hamis Kaheru
MPS yesterday protested the arrest and remand of their colleagues Reagan Okumu (Aswa) and Ocula Nyeko (Kilak) in Luzira prison, on murder charges and demanded a speedy and fair trial.
Several opposition members carried placards into the chamber but were advised against displaying them by Speaker Edward Ssekandi.
Bugabula South MP Salaamu Musumba defiantly displayed her placard throughout the session, which read, “We say no to political persecution,†while others hang theirs on microphone stands.
Okumu and Ocula were arrested on Wednesday, over the February 12, 2002 murder of the LC3 chairman of Pabbo, Alfred Bongomin. In a statement to the house, internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda said the murder was hatched in MP Okumu’s house in Gulu.
Defence minister Amama Mbabazi said the NRM government restored the rule of law, to which everybody was subject.
Rugunda said Police investigations revealed that Ocula attended the meetings during which the murder was planned.
“Information received from the suspects indicated that the murder of Alfred Bongomin was a premeditated criminal act. The information suggested that planning of the crime was done in Hon. Reagan Okumu’s house in Gulu and that Hon. Okumu and Ocula are said to have participated in the meetings,†Rugunda said.
He said when investigations were completed, the matter was referred to the Director of Public Prosecution, who noted that there were sufficient grounds to prefer charges.
He said since all people are equal before the law, anybody suspected of having committed a crime is entitled to a fair hearing before the courts.
“It is in pursuit of this fundamental objective that the two were arrested and charged. This house and the general public should let the law take its course,†he said.
Theodore Sekikubo (Lwemiyaga) wondered about the timing of the arrests, saying three years was a very long time for investigations not to have been completed.
Issa Kikungwe (Kyaddondo south) said if the Government did not restrain its officers from wantonly arresting members of the opposition, there was a danger of derailing the transition to multiparty politics.
“If this is going to continue, I’d rather die as bushman than languish in the prisons of Luzira,†he said.
Zachary Olum (Nwoya) said he was in 1991 arrested and detained for three weeks in Lira on trumped up treason charges, and called for a speedy trial of the MPs.
Mulindwa Birimumaaso (Bukoto west), Ssebuliba Mutumba (Kawempe south), Ken Lukyamuzi (Rubaga south) and John Kawanga (Masaka), who also said they had been arrested before, warned against arresting opponents on trumped up charges, saying it polluted the political environment.
John Kazoora (Kashaari) Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri), Ben Wacha (Oyam north), Ogenga Latigo (Agago) Emmanuel Dombo (Bunyole) Anang Odur (Kwania) and Jack Sabiiti (Rukiga) all condemned the arrest.