Don’t compare us to Kony - ‘rebel’ MPs
Aug 11, 2008
THE so-called rebels within the ruling NRM have protested a statement made by President Yoweri Museveni that he would fight unruly MPs the way he fought LRA leader Joseph Kony.
By Joyce Namutebi
THE so-called rebels within the ruling NRM have protested a statement made by President Yoweri Museveni that he would fight unruly MPs the way he fought LRA leader Joseph Kony.
Outspoken Rubanda west MP Henry Banyenzaki told journalists yesterday that he would not be intimidated.
“It would not be right to intimidate Parliament. This is an attack on the independence of Parliament,†Banyenzaki said.
He said MPs should not be compared to Kony, a murderer and terrorist, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Banyenzaki, who vowed that he would not leave the NRM, said he and his colleagues were labelled rebels because they have been raising matters of public concern in accordance with the oath they took as MPs.
At a previous NRM caucus meeting, Museveni reportedly complained about the increasing indiscipline within the party. He was referring to MPs who had signed a petition asking for a special session on the arrest of three Mengo officials.
The President reportedly singled out Banyenzaki, Bunyole MP Emmanuel Dombo, Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo, and Workers MP Dr. Sam Lyomoki.
During the caucus meeting yesterday, Banyenzaki asked the Government chief whip, Kabakumba Masiko, to clarify what the President had said.
According to the caucus treasurer, David Bahati, the chief whip explained that the President made the remarks in “the context of ensuring discipline among members and using the caucus as an avenue to resolve issues as a familyâ€.
Ssekikubo said he would seek audience with the President on the matter. “I blame the President for such outbursts. He should be above pettiness,†he told The New Vision.
In an opinion piece in the newspaper, Ssekikubo said the President should tackle the issues that bring out disenchantment instead of threatening MPs.
“I would strongly advise the President to reconsider the approach of threatening to expel members who are said to be undisciplined,†he stated.
“He says he will fight MPs like Joseph Kony. But you cannot compare members to Kony. There are Cabinet ministers and security officers who have taken the President for granted. Before he raises a sledge hammer on members who are dissenting, he should hold it against errant officials.â€
THE so-called rebels within the ruling NRM have protested a statement made by President Yoweri Museveni that he would fight unruly MPs the way he fought LRA leader Joseph Kony.
Outspoken Rubanda west MP Henry Banyenzaki told journalists yesterday that he would not be intimidated.
“It would not be right to intimidate Parliament. This is an attack on the independence of Parliament,†Banyenzaki said.
He said MPs should not be compared to Kony, a murderer and terrorist, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court.
Banyenzaki, who vowed that he would not leave the NRM, said he and his colleagues were labelled rebels because they have been raising matters of public concern in accordance with the oath they took as MPs.
At a previous NRM caucus meeting, Museveni reportedly complained about the increasing indiscipline within the party. He was referring to MPs who had signed a petition asking for a special session on the arrest of three Mengo officials.
The President reportedly singled out Banyenzaki, Bunyole MP Emmanuel Dombo, Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Ssekikubo, and Workers MP Dr. Sam Lyomoki.
During the caucus meeting yesterday, Banyenzaki asked the Government chief whip, Kabakumba Masiko, to clarify what the President had said.
According to the caucus treasurer, David Bahati, the chief whip explained that the President made the remarks in “the context of ensuring discipline among members and using the caucus as an avenue to resolve issues as a familyâ€.
Ssekikubo said he would seek audience with the President on the matter. “I blame the President for such outbursts. He should be above pettiness,†he told The New Vision.
In an opinion piece in the newspaper, Ssekikubo said the President should tackle the issues that bring out disenchantment instead of threatening MPs.
“I would strongly advise the President to reconsider the approach of threatening to expel members who are said to be undisciplined,†he stated.
“He says he will fight MPs like Joseph Kony. But you cannot compare members to Kony. There are Cabinet ministers and security officers who have taken the President for granted. Before he raises a sledge hammer on members who are dissenting, he should hold it against errant officials.â€