BY Tom Mugisha, tom.mugisha@alleastafrica.com
KAMPALA – Uganda’s speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has asked President Museveni to explain the circumstances that led to the raid on parliament by plain-clothed security operatives believed to be presidential guards on September 27.
The security violently dragged members of parliament opposed to the lifting of the 75-year cap of presidency out of the parliamentary chambers.
In an October 23 letter to President Museveni, copied to the Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs, Inspector General of Police and Commander of the Special Forces Command, the Speaker demanded for answers on identities of the operatives involved in the September intrusion, the motive and purpose for their deployment.
“I have had the opportunity to view (closed-circuit television) camera footages of what transpired and noticed people in black suits and white shirts, who are not part of the parliamentary staff or the staff of the Sergeant-at-Arms, beating members,” Speaker Kadaga noted in her letter to the President.
The chaotic scene started after the MPs who stopped the debate on the proposed constitutional amendment that seeks to amend the constitution and allow President Museveni stand again 2021.
President Museveni, currently, 73 will not be legible stand in 2021 because he will be 77 years. The opposition says the proposed amendment intends to benefit Museveni who has been in power since 1986.
Kadaga, also wants to know why they manhandled, arrested and detained Members of Parliament. Ms Kadaga also asked for the particulars of the operation commander.
She added: “I am, therefore, seeking an explanation to the identity, mission and purpose of the unsolicited forces. I am also seeking an explanation about why they assaulted the members of Parliament … [and] an explanation why the members were arrested and transported and confined at police stations.”
The MPs were later released, although some remain under police investigation.
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