Councillor held over assault on MP

Ntungamo.

A councillor for Ntungamo Municipality youth has been arrested by police on accusations that he hurled insults at the local Member of Parliament (MP), Mr Yona Musinguzi Bikwasizehi, and attempted to assault him.

Mr Boaz Kumwesiga blocked Musinguzi from addressing the municipal council meeting on Thursday after the speaker had asked the MP to speak.

Mr Kumwesiga was suspended and asked to leave the council hall but refused until he was dragged out by the Sergeant at Arms in a scuffle.

The uniform of the Sergeant at Arms was torn in the scuffle and police said Mr Kumwesiga later advanced to attack the MP who was seated in the front row but was restrained by other councillors.

Other law enforcement officers joined to reinforce the team and overpowered Mr Kumwesiga who was thrown out of the hall.
The speaker promptly adjourned the council for lunch.

Mr Musinguzi’s supporters besieged the council hall to arrest Mr Kumwesiga and take him to police after his numerous calls to police for intervention went unanswered.

Mr Musinguzi drove to police and returned with some officers who averted imminent fighting between law enforcement officers and his supporters.

The police led by the officer in charge of Ntungamo Police Station, Mr Benjamin Amaitum, took away Mr Kumwesiga for detention as Mr Musinguzi’s supporters cheered.

Ms Monic Kobusingye, the female youth councillor, accused Mr Kumwesiga of disrespecting the MP.

“We need to be tolerant to each other and accept that there are people in leadership. This was shameful,” Ms Kobusingye said.
Mr Kumwesiga is an ardent supporter of Mr Musinguzi’s rival, the Western Youth MP, Mr Gerald Karuhanga.

Mr Musinguzi and Mr Karuhanga will face off in the 2016 elections.

Ntungamo Municipality mayor Jacob Kafureka said it was embarrassing for a councillor who knows the rules to behave in such a manner. Mr Amaitum said Kumweisiga would be charged but did not specify the charges.