By Editorial,
Opposition Members of Parliament staged a walkout from yesterday’s plenary sitting in Parliament, expressing their opposition to the ongoing arrest, abduction, and detention of their leaders and supporters.
They condemned the behaviour of the security forces, stating that it contradicts the principles of Uganda’s independence, which was celebrated.
On Monday morning, prominent leaders of the National Unity Platform (NUP), including spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi and secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya, were taken into custody.
The reasons behind their arrests remain unclear.
Heavy police and military presence were observed at the NUP head offices in Kamwokya, Kampala, on Monday, prior to the party’s ‘special prayer session’ for the missing members.
Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, MP for Butambala, expressed his frustration, stating, the regime was treating them badly.
Kivumbi emphasized that they have always pursued a path of constitutionalism and the rule of law, citing their previous challenge of the Police Act Section 32 (e) in the Constitutional Court.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, attempted to calm the situation by calling for the Opposition to allow the government to provide a statement explaining the actions of the security forces.
However, the Opposition rejected this, prompting Tayebwa to remind them that he had no power to stop them from leaving the chambers. END.