Embattled MP Kipoi seeks state protection

By Henry Sekanjako

Embattled Bubulo county MP Tonny Kipoi has asked for state protection for his safety, saying it is his constitutional right as a citizen of Uganda.

The legislator was declared absent without official leave (AWOL) by Parliament.

Early in November, Ugandan security agencies investigated reports that the MP had been captured in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

Facing a number of charges, including treason, Kipoi was then said to have been captured in Fataki, about 35 kilometres from Mahagi.

But the lawmaker denied the claims, insisting he was no arrested.

His mentioned that he fled the country after his accounts were frozen and vowed to return only after President Yoweri Museveni has left power.

But if the latest development is anything to go by, Kipoi could be wanting to return to Uganda.

Tororo County MP Geoffrey Ekanya relayed the development to the parliamentary committee on rules, privileges and discipline that is investigating Kipoi’s continued absence from Parliament.

Ekanya told the committee that Kipoi, whose voice he clearly recognized, had contacted him by phone.

He particularly wanted to know what measures the government has for his safety as a Ugandan in the hands of foreigners.

He also wanted to affirm to the House reports the he was under detention, but also wanted by Ugandan security.

“I got a call from someone who introduced himself as Kipoi from Kinshasa, saying he had read press reports that he was under detention,” said Ekanya.

“He asked me to challenge the government to explain whether he was under detention and whether there are measures by the government to ensure his safety.”

The Tororo County MP, who appeared as a witness in the company of Kipoi’s lawyers, Mukasa Mbidde and Patrick Nteyera, asked the committee to task the government to find out Kipoi’s whereabouts and safety.

In their brief interaction with a team of the embattled MP’s lawyers, the committee refused to hear their defence after they failed to produce evidence of Kipoi’s travel from Uganda.