Speaker Jacob Oulanyah has told estranged MPs Ssewanyana and Segirinya that 'is not an open cheque once you become an MP'.
Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya case.
Oulanyah has told estranged MPs Ssewanyana and Segirinya that ‘is not an open cheque once you become an MP’.
Allan Ssewanyana the MP for Makindye West and Segirinya Muhammad the Kawempe North MP were remanded to Kigo Police following allegations the pair were involved in luring young people in Kampala to engage in using machetes to kill elders and children in Greater Masaka.
The arrest and remand of the two MPs has drawn the attention of Parliament with FDC and Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Nganda Ssemujju taking to the floor of the house on Wednesday to request Parliament to intervene.
Ssemujju who raised a concern over the arrest MPs, submitted: “Speaker I am informing the House that the MPs (Ssewanyana and Segirinya) were remanded over Masaka murders. I want to know whether there are in any measures being put in place by Parliament to look into the matter.”
Speaker Oulanyah confirmed to the house that, the matter was brought to the attention of the Office of the Speaker before they were arrested.
Oulanyah said the Deputy Speaker Anitah Among was able to meet Ssewanyana and Segirinya and he promised to find time and visit the MPs.
The Speaker, however, reminded the house: “Parliamentary Privileges have limitations; It is not an open cheque that once when you become an MP, therefore you can engage in any activity; the privilege is confined to free speech in the House.”
Oulanyah explained: “When a Member of this House has been found in conflict with the law, the law must take its course. Once these processes have started, we cannot interfere; let’s respect the court process for now.”
The Masaka unrest has led over 30 killings and several displaced as a result of fear.
Lukwago on MPs’ arrest
The decision left Lord Mayor Lukwago in total rage, slaming: “I don’t have anybody’s blood on my hands, and neither do other opposition politicians.”
He ranted: “Are you trying to suggest that these members … opposition MPs are vampires, blood suckers? These are savages, it is terrible, baffling, of all people Segirinya, Ssewanyana. Honestly, probably if you had talked about rebel groups, but politicians like Segirinya.”
Lord Mayor went on: “Do you think sewanyana can perpetuate such innous crimes for purposes of advancing a political agenda? Honestly, do you believe in that crap?”
Police on MPs’ arrest
Two Hon. Members of Parliament, namely; Ssewanyana and Segirinya are expected to appear, at Masaka District Police Headquarters for statement recording, as the masterminds behind the vicious murders.
The suspects in their admissions clearly indicate how they were recruited, taken through the intentionally designed plans in a meeting at Ndeeba, and create animosity against elderly victims, who do not share their views. The suspects were promised wealth as a motivating factor.
And that it is under the command of the two politicians that the victims were hacked and beaten to death. It is further alleged that the politicians facilitated the movement of the assailants and induced them to commit the atrocities against their victims.
Can Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Kampala Woman MP, Shamim Malende who are their lawyers, rescue the two MPs and save them conviction? Within conviction, the pair will be forced out of the house according to article (83) of the Constitution of Uganda.
How can a Member of Parliament be removed?
According to Article (83) of the Constitution, a Member of Parliament may lose his or her seat in any of the following instances—
On resignation in writing to the Speaker;
If he or she subsequently ceases to qualify to be a Member of Parliament;
If he or she is absent from 15 sittings without permission of the Speaker;
If he or she is found guilty of violation of the Leadership Code of Conduct;
If he or she joins another party or leaves the party and decides to remain an Independent member;
If a member was elected as an independent and joins a party; or
On appointment as a public officer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w50q_YOdYU
Award winning journalist and writer who has worked as a stringer for a couple of acclaimed South Africa based German journalists, covered 3 Ugandan elections, 2008 Kenya election crisis, with interests in business and sports reporting.
