Nambooze’s woes: A case of when political differences become harmful

When Ugandans and the international community witnessed a violent brawl between MPs from different political parties in September 2017 during the dramatic presidential age limit debate, we were reminded that the country’s political landscape was changing.
When Opposition lawmakers were bundled into police vehicles and driven away hastily, the level of fear and horror of what had transpired was difficult to ignore. Some members claimed that before they were driven away from Parliament they had first been detained in other rooms with within the House and tortured by unidentified assailants under the watchful eye of the police.

The extent of physical damage and injury both to property and humans would later enfold. In the case of Mukono Municipality MP Betty Nambooze, it would appear that she sustained grave injuries with long term effects.
Ms Nambooze’s spine was broken last year during the age limit amendment debate. It would later emerge that due to the severity and sensitivity of Nambooze’s spine injuries, there was need for equally sophisticated, technically complex and urgent medical treatment required.
Subsequently, she was flown to Mannipal Hospital in India, where highly medically specialised surgical procedures were performed on her. The unidentified assailants who manhandled the parliamentarians were never questioned or brought to book.

For many people, the reminder of unresolved questions left hanging over the House after the age limit debate soon resurfaced following the gruesome killing of Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga last month.
Suddenly, Nambooze was once again thrown into the limelight after she was arrested. Ms Nambooze is accused for alleged offensive communication through a social media post following the death of the Arua MP.
Unfortunately, with unhealed spine injuries from the brawl in parliament last year, Nambooze’s health quickly deteriorated while in police custody.
To make matters worse, another unfortunate incident would follow after Nambooze was injured in a police car while being transported from Nagalama Police Station in Mukono to Kiruddu Hospital in Kampala.

The lack of compassion for Nambooze’s distress seemed apparent and not quickly forthcoming. As the public observed the developing situation, it was difficult not to sympathize with the bedridden Member of Parliament. Although Opposition party members rallied around their patient, forming a supportive network, Parliament seemed to have needed some prompting.
Uganda Human Rights Commission boss Medi Kaggwa wrote a compassionate letter to Inspector General Police Martins Okoth-Ochola, copied to Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga, suggesting that if anything happened to Nambooze as a result of delays in her getting medical treatment, it would raise legitimate questions that could be difficult to answer.

Throughout history, we have seen African female politicians face political difficulties as was the case for Ellen Sir-leaf Johnson, Liberia’s 24th president and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner, previously jailed twice for 10 years before being elected president in 2006.
The irony is that political mistreatment of opponents seems to enhance political popularity. In the case of Nambooze, the situation seems controlled but undeniably ongoing.

Ms Victoria Nyeko is a media commentator.
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Twitter:@VictoriaNyeko