By Sarah Achen Kibisi.
The minister for Information and National Guidance, Dr Chris Baryomunsi, has said that the ongoing Opposition MPs boycott of plenary sessions will not disrupt parliamentary business.
Baryomunsi said that the ruling NRM has enough numbers to raise quorum.
They announced that they will never set foot in parliament again until their colleagues Allan Ssewanyana and Mohammad Ssegirinya MP, both of NUP, have received a fair hearing and are released.
Both Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya are currently battling charges related to murder and terrorism.
While appearing on NBS Frontline, Baryomunsi said that the boycott will not harm business in the August House in any way.
“The opposition may walk out, but their walking out can’t filibuster the house. There are sufficient numbers in Parliament, and we have been sitting,” Baryomunsi said.
Baryomunsi said that government will continue doing its part in Parliament until the opposition decides to return.
ot be handled as per the law just because they are MPs belonging to the opposition.
“Are you saying that if there is information indicating that a person has murdered someone, they should not be arrested until there is enough evidence?” Baryomunsi asked.
Kampala Lord Mayor, who also doubles as the MPs’ lawyer, Erias Lukwago, commended the opposition for walking out.
Lukwago said that coming up with such peaceful demonstrations are an alternative way of expressing dissatisfaction with how government is handling the MPs.
“Walking out is allowed. I commend the Leader of Opposition. Disrupting the Parliamentary procedure is another way,” Lukwago said. Opposition MP walked out of the plenary session in protest as a debate on the arrest and continued detention of their two colleagues, Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West) and Muhammad Ssegirinya (Kawempe North) was ongoing.
Mr Ssewanyana was arrested on September 23, 2021 as he walked out of Kigo Prison after he was granted bail on charges of murder, attempted murder and aiding and abetting terrorism. His lawyer Mr Erias Lukwago managed to see him and confirmed that he was being detained at the Special Investigations Unit in Kireka.
His colleague, Ssegirinya was also arrested in the same manner as he left Kigo Prison after he was granted bail.
.The Speaker of Parliament, Mr Jacob Oulanyah, told MPs during plenary that he was not notified about the MPs’ arrest.
“It costs nothing to do the right thing within the law and at the right time,” Mr Oulanyah said as he slammed government for flouting procedures as they arrested the MPs.
This was after the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja told the House that the “Speaker’s letter (of notification about the MPs’ arrest) was on the way.”
“How is the letter coming? Is it by boda boda? I should have been notified before the arrest,” a visibly disappointed Oulanyah said,. Hon Mpuuga accused the Prime Minister and Attorney General Mr Kiryowa Kiwanuka of vulgarizing the debate.
This was after Mr Kiryowa said the two MPs would continue to be arrested as many times when they committed more offences..
“They can go back as many times as the offences they commit,” the Attorney General told the House.
In response Mr Mpuuga said the Attorney General’s statement was disturbing and legally scandalous.
