Sunday , December 22 2024
Home / NEWS / Shadow cabinet to meet over plenary boycott

Shadow cabinet to meet over plenary boycott

Mathias Mpuuga

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | All opposition whips and members of the shadow cabinet are set to meet to decide whether to end or continue boycotting Parliament plenary sittings.

The opposition led by the National Unity Platform (NUP) has boycotted parliament since last week following the re-arrest of Makindye West MP Allan Sewanyana and Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya. The two legislators were arrested and detained on charges of murder, attempted murder and aiding and abetting terrorism, stemming from their alleged involvement in the recent killings in the Greater Masaka region.

Although the two legislators had been granted bail, they were re-arrested in separate events from the precincts of Kigo prison. It’s on the basis of this that the Leader of Opposition Parliament led a boycott of the Parliament sessions, in protest of the re-arrest and continued detention of their colleagues.

Mpuuga also contested statements by Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka that the two MPs would continue to be arrested for as many times as the offences they commit. He said the statements were disturbing and legally scandalous adding that the opposition would not be part of a vulgarised debate.

Tochi County MP Peter Okot and the Whip of the Democratic Party members in Parliament says that the Leader of Opposition has now summoned them for a meeting on Tuesday to decide if to continue with the boycott or not.

Okot says that it is better for them to return to the house to fight for Ugandans and human rights and not remain outside boycotting.

Meanwhile, Forum for Democratic Change-FDC Whip Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has reportedly said that the boycotts were coming to an end since the legislators were presented in the court.

This is according to Soroti Woman MP Anna Adeke Ebaju, quoting a communication issued to them from the party.

Tororo North County MP Geoffrey Ekanya equally says that since the opposition has made its statements, they can now end the boycott and return to Parliament.

******

URN

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *