The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has questioned the state of the multiparty system in the country, citing the persistent brutality and harassment directed at the opposition.
This came up during the debate on the police brutality against the Forum for Democratic Change-FDC party members and opposition stalwart, Dr. Kiiza Besigye.
On Monday, heavily armed police backed with armored vehicles and water cannons sprayed Besigye’s cars almost throwing him out of the roof top of his car. The officer later broke the windscreen of Besigye’s vehicle and sprayed there teargas to force him out.
The officers also picked up several FDC party members and locked them at Kira police division. The area MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda managed to get away unharmed. Now, in a heated debate in parliament on Tuesday, MPs questioned why opposition members are not free to hold any meeting.
Kadaga said Ugandans need to know whether there is really a multiparty system and whether it is being practiced since parties are registered and funded but are not allowed to meet, organize and do anything else.
The Leader of Opposition, Betty Aol Ochan said members of the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM party have been gathering freely without governments approval but opposition meetings are always foiled by police.
Chris Baryomunsi, the State Minister for Housing asked police to do its work professionally but also advised political actors to learn to respect police. He called upon FDC not to take on the defiance approach.
Gen Moses Ali, the first Deputy Prime Minister directed the Internal Affairs Minister to present a statement on what transpired during the Kireka fracas.
He however, drew outrage from the opposition when he said they will look at why police used water cannons against Besigye as opposed to teargas.
Medard Lubega Ssegona, the Busiro East MP, said General Moses Ali was wrong to say police should use teargas instead of water cannons.
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