#NATIONAL #MPs Want Ssemujju’s Ejection Investigated Uganda’s Leader of Opposition in parliament, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, has called for an investigation into the use of non-parliamentary staff to evict Kyadondo East MP from the House Chambers.Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the Shadow Information Minister, was on Wednesday violently ejected from Parliament on the orders of the Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah. Nandala, the Budadiri West MP, while addressing the press on Friday said they have established that to accomplish this mission, the Omoro County MP instructed his body guards to remove police uniforms and dress in civilian clothes so they can sneak into the Parliamentary chambers to forcefully eject an MP. Nandala and six other opposition MPs are also calling for disciplinary action to be taken against the body guards and the Sergeant-At-Arms Ahmed Kagoye who should prevent strangers from accessing the Chambers but instead teamed with them. The MPs also revealed that one of the strangers with a pistol on his waist is a body guard of the Vice President Edward Ssekandi. They therefore also want the Ssekandi to explain how his bodyguard got involved in what the opposition described as an illegality. The MPs have demanded an apology from Deputy Speaker Oulanyah of the House for violating its rules and that the matter should be referred to the disciplinary committee. Nandala maintains that the four members who were suspended from the house during the Public Order Management Bill debate served their suspension under Rule 80 and are not required to apologise to anyone be it Oulanyah. On Thursday, Oulanyah stated that his action was within the rules of procedure which also allow him to extend the law depending on the circumstances on the floor of the House. He vowed not to allow anarchy in Parliament and the MPs must apologise to the house. He directed that they should come as strangers, stand behind the bar, and apologise before being let in. Nandala, however, said Oulanyah is an angry man who should not treat MPs like a headmaster handling students but know that they are equals. Kasese Woman MP Winnie Kiiza wondered why the Deputy Speaker is using the rules of procedure selectively recalling the suspension of Buyende Woman MP Babirye Kadogo, who after serving her suspension was not asked to apologise. Aruu County Odonga Otto, who is among the MPs suspended, siad he is looking forward to attending plenary on Tuesday next week and shall not be intimidated by Oulanyah. Otto who announced plans to unseat the Deputy Speaker in Omoro County, insists the government is sending the wrong message to armed groups like the ADF, LRA and former national Intelligence coordinator renegade Gen. David Sejusa by manhandling civilians like Ssemujju. The opposition MPs are also demanding that their motion on the conduct of Oulanyah be given space on the Order Paper at the next sitting of Parliament on Tuesday next week. According to Rule 78, the decision of the speaker upon any point shall not be open to appeal and shall not be reviewed by the House except upon a substantive motion after notice.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Oct 2013 21:16:21 +0000
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