MP survives mob justice over age limit vote
MP Moses Walyomu waves to his supporters after taking refuge at his office in Buwenge Town Council. Photo Richard Muzaale
Member of Parliament for Kagoma Constituency in Jinja District, Moses Walyomu Muwanika, on Sunday survived mob justice after angry residents started pelting stone and sticks at him.
The incident occurred during a burial ceremony of a senior female resident, the late Florence Kambudwe, at the home of Robert Mukama, located in Kadiba Ward in Buwenge Town Council.
Two renowned political rivals in the area, the former aspirant for the MP seat, Kintu Brandon aka ‘Musayi Mutto’ and the incumbent MP, Walyomu, were both invited by Mr Mukama to attend the burial ceremony.
However, drama ensued when the Master of Ceremony invited Mr Kintu to address mourners before inviting MP Walyomu to address the gathering.
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The Bill saw heated resistance from both the members of the public and a section of MPs including some on the ruling side
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On December 20, Parliament voted to amend Article 102 (b) of the Constitution. At least 317 MPs voted in favour, 97 against, while two MPs abstained.
This did not go well with Kintu’s supporters who accused Walyomu of voting ‘Yes’ during the debate on age limit Bill that was passed by Parliament and assented by President Museveni on December 27, 2017.
The mourners forced Walyomu to cut his speech short as some mourners surged towards him while others started insulting him as they pelted stones at him.
This forced Mr Walyomu and his entourage to take refuge at his office located on Market Street where furious residents pursued him, threatening to beat him.
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When the irate residents eventually calmed down, Walyomu tried, in vain, to address them, prompting his supporters to force him into his car before driving off.
After the scuffle, Mr Walyomu told this reporter that nothing will deter him from attending to the needs of his supporters.
“What happened was merely a political move aimed at diverting the mindset of my supporters in the area,” he said.
One of the residents, Mr Nicholas Mukambwe, said: “The man who stood and lost the MP seat cannot invite the current MP to speak.”
However, another resident who came to Mr Walyomu’s defence, said: “Even if it was Mr Kintu, he would have voted ‘Yes’ in Parliament because it was a party decision to be towed by all NRM-leaning MPs.”
In the 2016 parliamentary elections, Mr Kintu stood as an Independent candidate and lost to Mr Walyomu. He then filed an election petition in Court alleging voter bribery which he claimed ‘unjustly influenced the result in rival’s favour’.
Out of about 32 Members of Parliament from Busoga Sub-region, only two (Abdu Katuntu, FDC, Bugweri and Henry Morris Kibalya, NRM Bugabula) voted against the passing of the age limit Bill 2017.
