Parliament pigs: Suspects released on bail
Members of the Jobless Brotherhood dropped pigs at Parliament in protest of the Shs200 million given to MPs to purchase cars. Photo by Abubaker Lubowa
What you need to know:
- Luta and Lukwago have spent a week on remand at Luzira prison.
- On September 15, Luta and Lukwago dropped 10 piglets at the main gate of Parliament, protesting government’s decision to give Shs200 million for each MP's vehicle.
- In May 2013, protestors in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, released a pig and about a dozen piglets outside parliament to show their anger at newly elected MPs demanding higher salaries.
Court in Kampala has granted bail to two members of the Jobless Brotherhood who are said to have dropped piglets at Parliament on Thursday last week.
Buganda Road Court grade one magistrate Marion Mangeni on Friday ordered Luta Ferdinard and Joseph Lukwago to pay Shs500,000 each as a pre-condition to regain their freedom.
Their four sureties were also each bonded Shs5 million not cash to ensure that the duo returns to court for trial on October 18.
However before releasing the two youth, the magistrate warned that they stand to have their bail cancelled if they fail to observe law and order.
Luta and Lukwago have spent a week on remand at Luzira prison on charges of causing a common nuisance and cruelty in which the prosecution alleges that they ill-treated domestic animals by painting them in colour and carried them to undesignated place.
They have since denied the charges.
On September 15, Luta and Lukwago
Youth drop yellow, blue piglets at Parliament, protest Shs200m cars for MPs
Two members belonging to the Jobless Brotherhood pressure group have this morning dropped piglets at Parliament to protest the government’s decision to award Members of Parliament with Shs200m each for new cars
, protesting government’s decision to give Shs200 million for each MP's vehicle and the “indifference” of peoples’ representatives.
One of the piglets, branded Kato Lubwama, the Lubaga South MP, was kicked and tortured to death by the police officers on duty during their seizure. The demonstration was intended to portray the MPs as greedy.
The two were arrested, produced in court and sent on remand to Luzira Prison.
The youth were arrested alongside the piglets painted in two colours- yellow and blue meant to show that Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) legislators and National Resistance Movement (NRM) legislators have united to advance their personal interests.
Past piglet protests
In May 2013, protestors in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, released a pig and about a dozen piglets outside parliament to show their anger at newly elected MPs demanding higher salaries.
In June 2014, two youth belonging to the Jobless Brotherhood smuggled two pigs into the parking lot of Parliament protesting political corruption and youth unemployment.
