Parliament asks Police to produce Kabaziguruka in court

Parliament has asked Police to produce the detained Nakawa Division MP Michael Kabaziguruka in court in case he has committed any crime.

Rising on point of national importance, the Leader of Opposition, Winnie Kiiza complained that it was illegal for Police to detain a suspect for more than 48hrs without producing him in court.

Kiiza said she was disappointed that MPs were being arrested without first notifying the Speaker of Parliament.

"There has been a precedent that when an MP is arrested, the Speaker of Parliament is notified. Today our colleagues are being arrested without notifying the Speaker. I am worried that soon we shall all find ourselves in jail," she said.

"Let's join hands and condemn the arrest of our colleague. An attack on one of us should be regarded as an attack on Parliament. Today it is Kabaziguruka, tomorrow it's someone else," she added.

Kampala Central MP Mohammed Nsereko noted that security forces had developed a tendency of breaching the law while carrying out the arrests.

"MP Kabaziguruka has been held for more than 48 hours without being charged and presented for trial yet the law says within this period, a suspect should be taken to court," he said.

Citing the case of MP Stephen Mayende who was arrested last year and detained by Police for over 10 days until Parliament directed for his release, MP Elijah Okupa requested the Speaker to take charge of the situation and direct the Inspector General of Police to take Kabaziguruka to court.

Winnie Kiiza the Leader of Opposition in Parliament addresses the house on the issue. Photo by Kennedy Oryema

"Not so long ago, you ordered the release of MP Mayende who had been held in Police custody for 10 days without trial. We ask that you do the same for Hon. Kabaziguruka," Okupa said.

The Speaker, Hon. Rebecca Kadaga ruled that she will handle the matter with the Vice President to see that Kabaziguruka is either tried in court or released.

"This is a serious matter. The appointments committee will expeditiously approve the incoming Minister of Internal Affairs so that he deals with the matter urgently.  But in the meantime, I will talk to the Vice President to ensure that the MP is produced in court if he has committed any crime," she said.