Suspended MPs released, summoned at CID headquarters

KAMPALA. Police authorities last night released the anti-age limit MPs who were arrested on Wednesday for defying Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, inciting violence and assaulting police officers.
Police officers at Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in Kireka escorted unknown number of MPs including those who were not suspended from the House but somehow got mixed up in the melee before they were arrested on different charges.

The MPs including Mathias Mpuuga, Theodore Ssekikubo, Monica Amoding, Barnabas Tinkasiimire, William Nzoghu, Joy Atim, Jonathan Odur, Peter Okot, Wilfred Niwagaba and Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze among others were accompanied to their homes at around mid-night. The officers according to MPs, who spoke to this reporter, took photos with each legislator to prove that they delivered them safely.

With exception of two MPs (Francis Zaake and Angelina Osege who were still admitted on Wednesday, the whereabouts other members remain unclear. Some MPs called a news conference at Hotel Africana to condemn the raid on parliament and Ms Kadaga who suspended them.

Mr Niwagaba has been charged with beating Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda while Mr Ssekikubo and other lawmakers face accusations of inciting violence in parliament and assaulting police officers on duty. Before they were released last night, the MPs were ordered to report to Criminal Investigations Department in Kibuli this morning for proper interrogation. Although the lawmakers who accused government of intolerance had vowed to defy police orders in public interest, this website understands that they have this morning agreed to report to CID.

Police had to beg the members to accept to be escorted home. The lawmakers had complained that they were not sure of their security. They also refused to record any statement and insisted that by opposing the Raphael Magyezi Motion on the lifting of the age limit caps from the 1995 Constitution, they did not break any law. They were released on police bond.

Kampala Metropolitan police commander, Frank Mwesigwa this morning confirmed the release of the MPs, some of whom had been detained at Kira Road police station and Kira Division police in Najjera.
He refuted reports that some MPs were still in cells and others reported to have been transferred to Nalufenya, a high profile detention facility in Jinja District.
“We released all the MPs and escorted them to their respective homes. We don’t have anyone in our cells,” Mr Mwesigwa said.

Men suspected to be security operatives raided parliament and evicted a number of MPs who had defied the Speaker’s suspension.
The legislators were suspended for the next three parliamentary sittings after Ms Kadaga accused them of disrupting proceedings in violation of the House Rules of Procedure and the decorum of Parliament. The lawmakers had for days staged a red bandana protest against the planned removal of age limit. Mr Magyezi on Wednesday tabled a motion seeking to amend Article 102 (b) to remove the presidential age limit. The Opposition and some NRM MPs have insisted that the move seeks to clear the way for Mr Museveni, 73, to contest for presidency in 2021. The current constitution bars any person below 35 and above 75 from contesting for the highest office in the land.

Those suspended, among others; are Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine (Kyaddondo East), MP Allan Ssewanyana (Makindye West), Monica Amoding (Kumi District), Dr Sam Lyomoki (Workers) Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality) Ibrahim Kasozi (Makindye East) and Moses Kasibante (Rubaga North).

After a standoff in Parliament, security officers dressed in suits stormed the Chambers and forcefully dragged Mr Kyagulanyi and Mr Ssewanyana out.
Ms Angelina Osege, the Soroti District Woman MP who is also the chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, was seriously beaten by the arresting security operatives.

She was carried to one of the waiting ambulances by MPs and other Parliament officials. The ambulance took her to an undisclosed hospital. Mr Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality), was also seriously injured and taken to hospital.
Other MPs who have reportedly been arrested are Gerald Karuhanga, Odonga Otto (Aruu), Mohammed Nsereko (Kampala Central), Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Kira Municipality) and Mubarak Munyagwa (Kawempe South).
Mr Charles Angiro Gutumoi (Erute North) collapsed as security operatives forced him out.