The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The directorate of Criminal Investigations has summoned Aringa South Member of Parliament, Odria Yorke Alioni, to appear before its detectives tomorrow -Tuesday over punching the Officer-In-charge of Parliament Security Assistant Superintendent of Police –ASP Alex Senga.
MP Odria was captured on cameras punching ASP Senga on Thursday last week as he protested what he termed as vote rigging during poll casting for people going to represent Uganda in the East African Legislative Assembly -EALA.
The video that went viral shows MP Odria carrying the ballot box as he repeatedly shouted ‘vote rigging’. He was taking the ballot box inside the main parliamentary chambers but he was stopped by OC ASP Senga alongside other sergeant at arms officers.
When the ballot box was removed from him, MP Odria violently punched ASP Senga but the victim kept protecting his body from the legislator’s fists. Senior Commissioner of Police Fred Enanga explained that MP Odria’s assault left ASP Senga with injuries on the right ear and side of the head.
Enanga said Odria’s action of grabbing the ballot box was in total disregard of the electoral process and thus sergeant at arms officers thought it wise to remove it from him. Police have said Odria must appear at CID headquarters tomorrow without fail for statement recording as part of the process of getting justice for the person on whom he exhibited his masculinity.
CID said ASP Senga was on his lawful duties and he was victimized by the legislator for doing his assignment. Police leadership led by the Inspector General of Police, Martin Ochola, has extolled ASP Senga for restraining himself from countering the violent attack. Police say ASP Senga had all means to defend himself from the legislator and if he had taken any action, it would have been in line of his lawful duties.
Odria has been summoned through the office of the Speaker and he is likely to face assault charges in courts of law. The hotly contested nine EALA positions attracted 28 contestants. Six MP representing Uganda in EALA on NRM tickets all retained their seats. DP took one and two others NRM members won as independents, taking the seats ringfenced for independent and opposition.
*****
URN
