Police arrest two MPs from Maracha
MP Lee Oguzu (L) being confronted by the Regional CID (R) before he is led to the police station for interrogation. PHOTO BY FELIX WAROM OKELLO.
ARUA.
The police on Saturday afternoon arrested two Members of Parliament of Maracha on allegations of inciting violence.
The two MPs, Mr Lee Oguzu (Maracha County) and Mr James Acidri (Maracha East) were arrested as after reporting to the regional police headquarters to have confiscated motorcycles of some youths released from the police.
According to the West Nile Regional Police Commander, Mr Jonathan Musinguzi, the two MPs allegedly mobilized youths to beat up State Minister in office of the Vice President, Mr Alex Onzima.
“The MPs fueled the motorcycles of over 100 youths who went and attacked the Minister while he carried out consultations on Monday. So, we cannot sit and look at crime being committed and we keep quiet. This is why we are holding them here,” he said.
The youths who attempted to block the Minister’s consultation on Monday, were then dispersed by the police who fired live bullets in the air.
The MPs spent over three hours being questioned on their actions. The police also accused MP Acidri for allegedly playing a video of the peace talks to the youths and during consultation where he (Acidri) heaped praises over the former Jet Fighter Pilot Brigadier Wilson Toko.
Acidri however said: “The later Brigadier was a champion of peace and he worked for the people of Uganda to have the peace we enjoy now. This is history that no one can ever deny. If I played the video, how does this become a crime?” he asked.
MP Acidri, during memorial lecture for late Brig Toko was the Chairman of the Central Organising Committee, where the same video was also played during the lecture at Heritage Courts in Arua.
The two MPs were accompanied by their Lawyer, Mr Caleb Alaka, who said the two, committed no offence and the police only want to suppress their divergent views because they do not support the a limit Bill.
Mr Lee Oguzu said: “This is a wild allegation of inciting people. It is unfortunate that the security forces are being used to undo the decisions of the people of Maracha who rejected the amendment. We shall not bow to such intimidations because our people have already spoken.”
The MPs were released after a security meeting headed by the RPC.
