Leader of Opposition calls for release of MPs

Leader of opposition in Parliament (LOP) Betty Aol Ocan and other opposition MPs have called for the unconditional release of their colleagues arrested in Arua.

They also attacked the government over the killing of Kyaddondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi's driver Yasin Kawuma and the alleged torture of the MPs and other people who were arrested in Arua.

Addressing a press conference in the LOP's boardroom at Parliament, Ocan and the MPs said they had been shocked by the events in Arua and vowed they would do everything possible to fight for their jailed colleagues.

In their joint statement read by the LOP, the MPs called for immediate and unconditional release of the MPs and all other people who were arrested.

The legislators, who appeared crestfallen, urged religious leaders, civil society groups, and the international community to join them in the struggle of ending the violation of the human rights.

The MPs also condemned the manhandling, beating and detention of several journalists who were covering the events in Arua.

Ocan commended the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga for constituting a committee of MPs to embark on a fact finding mission regarding the MPs and other people who were jailed.

The MPs unequivocally condemned the detention of the MPs in the military barracks and the plans to have them tried in the military court martial.

The MPs who were arrested include Kyaddondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi, Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, Jinja municipality MP Paul Mwiru, Ntungamo municipality MP Gerald Karuhanga, and the Arua municipality MP elect Ezati Kassiano Wadri.

The opposition politicians arrested and charged in Gulu with treason include former Makindye East MP Michael Mabikke, FDC delegates' conference member Jane Abala, FDC national vice chairperson Ismail Kasule and others.

The shadow minister for health and Kapelobyong County MP Julius Ochen appealed to legislators from across the political divide to ensure election violence is completely stopped.

The shadow minister for foreign affairs and Bukonjo County MP Godfrey Atkins Katusabe, "As a country, we have to put our foot down and say enough is enough. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. Uganda belongs to all of us. It is not someone's property." Ends…/