Woman MP kidnapped, assaulted

ARUA- Arua District Woman Member of Parliament Maureen Osoru was last Saturday kidnapped and assaulted by a mob suspected to have come from Yumbe district.

Ms Osoru was on her way to Ewanga Sub-county where elders in the area had summoned leaders to get their view on a recent letter by ministry of Local Government permanent secretary that the sub-county be transferred to Yumbe district.

The mob dug a hole in the middle of the road near Ariwa Sub-county where the MP was kidnapped and assaulted. “We could not pass, they took away the [car] key and they were blaming us for trying to take away Ewanga Sub-county from Yumbe district,” Ms Osoru said.

“I asked them what the problem was and if possible allow me to go back but they said they could kill us if I continued talking,” Ms Osoru narrated.

Ms Osoru said she identified three district councillors (who, she declined to name) from whom she said the mob was getting instructions. The MP said the gang was travelling in a vehicle belonging to Yumbe district local government.

She said she and her colleagues were driven off and abandoned at Odravu Sub-county headquarters in Yumbe district, about 15km South of Yumbe district headquarters. They then used boda-boda motorcycles to Yumbe central police station from where they recorded statements.

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