Opposition boycotts plenary over re-arrest of MPs. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Uganda Annet Anita Among has urged members of parliament to allow the law to take its course in the matters of the arrest of two members of parliament.
This follows the opposition boycott of parliament sittings following the re-arresting of Makindye West MP Allan Sewanyana and Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya enters day two.
The Magistrate’s court in Masaka yesterday remanded the two MP to Kigo prison until 13th October.
The opposition led by their leader in Parliament Mathias Mpuuga stormed out of Parliament stating that they will only return when their colleagues are set free.
However, during the plenary today, Lwemiyaga MP Theodore Sekikubo questioned parliament’s decision to continue with sittings with only the members of Parliament from the ruling National Resistance -NRM side and in the absence of the opposition.
The quorum of Parliament of one-third of all Members of Parliament entitled to vote is not required at a time when Parliament is not voting on any question but going on with its regular duties.
Ssekikubo says that Government cannot sit and debate among themselves, saying the opposition exists as by the laws that govern Parliament and multiparty democracy. He says Parliament should not go on like everything is normal and debate with a one-sided house.
Ssekikubo says the silence of the opposition is loud.
Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of Information Communication Technology and National guidance said that the house is fully constituted as the rules of procedure only talk about the number of MPs in the house and not the political party representation.
Among in response informed parliament that she was not aware of any issue that was keeping the opposition away since the legislators who were being held were taken to a gazette facility after being arraigned in court.
Among also informed MPs that as Parliament, they will be ready to support the MPs if they need any help. She also said any one of the MPs is free to go and pay the MPs in incarceration a visit.
She says that Independent MPs, Army Representatives among others are in the house, and the house is fully constituted.
She says as Parliament, they would not love any member to go through the challenges that the MPs are going through.
Also, read; Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana charged with terrorism
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