The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Rt Hon. Thomas Tayebwa stated that he had learnt through the Sergeant-At-Arms that security being referred was under the auspices of the Kampala Metropolitan Area Police deployed to shade off any interferences from unnamed rowdy persons
Leader of Opposition (LoP) Mr Mathias Mpuuga Wednesday afternoon raised concern over the heavy deployment of security operatives at Parliament, indicating that it makes the House a toxic environment for some legislators.
“Earlier, we had a meeting in Rt Hon. Tayebwa’s office between our side and the regime’s side but it ended in a stalemate.”
“We demand that an extensive debate on disrespect of Human Rights be allowed, we demand that our leaders must be respected, we also demand that the government makes a commitment to end the violation of the rights of Opposition leaders and supporters.”Mpuuga said
“I have received reports from my members that we are actually surrounded by the military who have come with vehicles in which some of us were dumped during the togikwatako (2017 age-limit) debate and they have returned. I don’t know on whose instructions are they,” he wondered.
“It will be in the interest of this House that you use your authority to ascertain the circumstances under which the House is sitting. “on. Mpuuga added:
He also stated that some of the television stations that relay live streams of the proceeds in the House have been stopped.
“What should even scare members more is that two televisions, NBS and NTV which always live stream the proceedings, have been removed from the live stream. So can we legislate in that kind of environment?” Mr Mpuuga wondered.
In response, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mr Thomas Tayebwa stated that he had learnt through the Sergeant-At-Arms that security being referred was under the auspices of the Kampala Metropolitan Area Police deployed to shade off any interferences from unnamed rowdy persons.
“I want to make it very clear that I have not ordered any extra security at Parliament and that it is not necessary. There is nothing that warrants that. Security being referred to is outside Parliament which is under Kampala Metropolitan police,” Hon. Tayebwa said.
“They have received intelligence information about rowdy groups of people that were planning to come to Parliament. As a presiding officer, I cannot have powers over issues happening outside Parliament. Inside Parliament and within Parliament, we are still okay. ”He added.
We have notified the Speaker that we’ll return to the House tomorrow to present a detailed statement in which we’ll highlight the unanswered questions on murders, disappearances and other forms of human rights violations.
