Ssewanyana expressed joy at returning to the house and again mentioned how much he missed debating and representing his constituents.
MPs Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana hold prayers at Parliament entrance
Members of Parliament attached to the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), Allan Ssewanyana (Makdinye West) and Muhammad Ssegirinya ( Kawempe North) were beyond excited to step the precincts of parliament for the first time in close to two years.
The legislators clad in black and navy blue suits respectively freely accessed the premises. They didn’t hesitate to kneel below the outside steps leading up to the August House for a brief prayer before entering. Lifting their hands up in the air, with eyes closed, the MPs prayed for a few minutes as Parliamentary journalists took pictures of them.
Ssewanyana expressed joy at returning to the house and again mentioned how much he missed debating and representing his constituents.
The duo later found their way to the office of the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in parliament for a brief closed door meeting.
MPs Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana hold prayers at Parliament entrance
They later proceeded to the Speaker’s chambers where they were received by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on behalf of the speaker and parliament administration.
The duo was granted cash bail of 20 million shillings each in February 2023 after nearly 16 months on remand for charges related to attempted murder, murder, and terrorism following their re-arrest on September 7th, 2021.
On Monday, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga stated the duo that was released on cash bail from the prison coffers last month is planning an illicit procession to parliament over the appalling state of the Makindye West based Salaama Road.
Enanga saID the duo needs to follow the Public Order Management Act directives that require seeking permission prior to the planned event. Under section 5,of the POMA act, an organiser must give notice in writing to the authorized officer of the intention to hold a public meeting, at least three days but not more than 15 days before the proposed date of the public meeting.
“We have credible intelligence of plans by both MPs to hold an unlawful assembly and illegal procession through the city up to parliament over the poor state of Makindye Salaama road. These protests are illegal and we shall not allow them,” said Enanga.
He further stated that the protests are unnecessary as the Kampala Capital City Authority already announced plans to fix the road among other dilapidated ones within the City. Enanga has called on the MPs to engage KCCA officials as processions only stand to disrupt the rights of other members of the public.
“Why don’t you engage officials at KCCA before holding unlawful assemblies? Before going into these acts of lawlessness and impunity. Our territorial commanders have been tasked to disperse all forms of disorderliness, lawlessness and impunity. We shall disperse all these illegal assemblies the two MPs would like to engage themselves in.” He adds
Recently KCCA unveiled plans to reconstruct 70 km worth of bad roads in the City Center . The renovations commenced in February 2023,in a phased manner after the body procured a 1 trillion loan from the African Development Bank (ADB).
MPs Ssegirinya, Ssewanyana hold prayers at Parliament entrance
