Speaker Anita Among ordered the expunging of remarks by Leader of Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi from the parliamentary record, calling his statements about alleged military infiltration and brutality in the chambers “unparliamentary” and “defamatory.”
The Speaker’s directive followed a motion by David Kabanda (Kasambya County), who argued that Ssenyonyi’s claims were baseless. Kabanda contended, “When the House reconvened after the suspension, Ssenyonyi alleged that the Army had entered the chambers, which is untrue. I move that his statements be removed from the record.”
Although Kabanda did not initially reference a specific rule, Speaker Among cited Rule 229, which empowers the Speaker to expunge remarks that are defamatory, indecent, unparliamentary, or undignified.
“His remarks were unparliamentary and defamatory. I didn’t see any military personnel or security forces here. Therefore, I order that Ssenyonyi’s statements be removed from the record,” Among declared.
Ssenyonyi’s remarks stemmed from his concerns following a plenary suspension. He protested the media blackout during the suspension and questioned whether it was meant to cover up alleged mistreatment of MPs. According to Ssenyonyi, media personnel were forced out, lights were cut, and network services were interrupted. He alleged, “The chamber was raided, with MPs being physically assaulted and prevented from recording events. This violates Rule 237 of our Rules of Procedure.”
Ssenyonyi criticized Speaker Among, claiming she smiled as he raised concerns. “Members were brutalized in our own House. It appears the media blackout was intended to hide these actions,” he stated.
Among responded by advising MPs to prioritize logical debate over political theatrics. “No amount of intimidation will sway me. I will continue to smile,” she said, adding, “And with Trump’s victory, the sanctions are lifted,” though she provided no context for this remark.
In response to the alleged treatment of MPs and journalists, the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) announced a boycott of parliamentary coverage, protesting security forces’ confiscation of journalists’ equipment and restricting media access during the chaos. UPPA President Sam Ibanda urged media editors not to pressure journalists to cover parliamentary proceedings until safety concerns are addressed.
Ibanda emphasized, “We are not here to serve the interests of either the government or opposition; we are here to inform the public. Until UPPA reaches a consensus with Parliament on journalists’ safety, we will cease all coverage.”
Despite denying the Opposition’s claims of a security breach, Speaker Among expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Internal Affairs for their role in handling the day’s events, though she did not clarify the nature of their involvement.
