MPs slam Rugunda over Police report

Jun 20, 2008

MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday reacted angrily to the statement presented by internal affairs minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda defending Police action in relation to the arrest of three MPs.

By Milton Olupot
and John Odyek


MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday reacted angrily to the statement presented by internal affairs minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda defending Police action in relation to the arrest of three MPs.

Workers MP Sam Lyomoki (NRM) and Kampala Woman MP Nabilah Sempala (FDC) were recently arrested in separate incidents, while a rally organised by Susan Nampijja (CP) was dispersed.

The minister on Wednesday told Parliament that preliminary findings by the Professional Standards Unit of the Police showed that the legislators had violated the law, prompting the Police action.

On the incident of Sempala, he said the MP was holding an illegal rally at Owino Market and when asked by a Police officer if she had obtained permission, she responded by striking him with a microphone in the chest.

Apart from the army representative, Capt. Grace Kashaija, who defended the minister’s statement, and security minister Amama Mbabazi who said the Police had done a commendable job and isolated incidents should not taint the name of the entire force, all contributors dismissed the explanation.

Welcoming the establishment of a select committee to investigate the incidents, Mbabazi said: “I think the Police have done an excellent job. This government will not tolerate security forces that operate outside the law. This does not mean that individual cases of infringement cannot occur.”

Army representative Kashaija called on Parliament to be neutral arbitrators and listen to all sides. “I call on Parliament not to be one-sided. Give positive criticism and a fair assessment of what happened. We can only do this in the select committee.”

An emotional mood was set in the House by MP Nabilah Sempala, who broke down and wept as she narrated how she was arrested and almost stripped naked before her constituents by Police officers at Owino Market.
“They ruthlessly pounced on me. I was almost stripped naked by uniformed Police led by the OC Taxi Park Police post. I was forced to sit on the floor,” she said.

Erias Lukwago (DP) said the minister by presenting his statement, did not take Parliament seriously. “The statement is full of lies and is contemptuous to this House. I admire the courage of the minister to stand up and read a 17-page document in defence of Police brutality.”
He said it was not true that the DP leaders had defied orders of the Police and addressed the public in their City House offices.

“The minister said the Police had not taken over the DP offices. Now, who is there?” he asked.

Soroti Woman MP Alice Alaso (FDC) challenged the minister to name the Police officer who was allegedly assaulted by Sempala.

Although one of the arrested MPs was of the ruling NRM, Betty Amongi (Independent) accused the Government of wanting to intimidate the opposition.

“All the time they are brutalising people as they say they have instructions from above. It is a directive from the President and the executive that the opposition is selectively handled in the manner instructed,” she said. “I know freedom is fought for and we are going to fight for our freedom.”

She amused the House when she called on her female colleagues to wear trousers to avoid the embarrassment of Police lifting their skirts.

Joseph Balikuddembe (DP) said Rugunda should work towards reforming the Police rather than trying to cover up for them.

Rose Najjemba (NRM) condemned the Police action on behalf of the women MPs. “The women in this House are disappointed with the statement,” she said and called on them to stand up to ensure that their decency is respected.

Opposition leader Morris Ogenga Latigo (FDC), wanted Rugunda to retract his statement, saying the reason the Government went to the bush was to resist the militarisation of the state and wanton desecration of people’s lives.

In response, Rugunda said his statement was based on preliminary findings. He said it would be scrutinised by the select committee and evidence from other witnesses would help bring the matter to a logical conclusion.

( Rugunda’s statement under OPINION)

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