Video: MoH MESSAGE ON CHILDREN & MATERNAL HEALTH
By Joel Mugabi
Mathias Mpuuga, the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LoP), has confirmed that opposition MPs have agreed to end their boycott announced last week over the detention of their colleagues.
Last Tuesday, opposition MPs make a clear statement after walking out of Parliament in protest of the re-arrest and detention without trial of National Unity Platform (NUP) MPs Muhammad Ssegirinya of Kawempe North and Allan Ssewanyana of Makindye West.
The youthful Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana face murder charges related to Masaka killings. They were re-arrested, separately, at Kigo Prison shortly after being granted bail. They were later held before being produced in court where the state slapped them with fresh murder charges.
A day after opposition MPs walked out of Parliament in protest, the legislators announced a boycott and swore never to attend plenary until their demands, which included the production of Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana in court, had been met.
“We condemn the illegal detention of two most and many Ugandans who are being held for so long without trial. We will boycott the plenary sitting of Parliament until the due process of law is followed in the prosecution of our colleagues and our supporters,” said opposition whip John Baptist Nambeshe as he declared the boycott on September 29.
Today morning, LoP Mpuuga (Nyendo-Mukungwe, NUP) summoned his shadow ministers to review the boycott. In the meeting, opposition MPs agreed to call off the boycott since some of their demands have been met.
“The Shadow Cabinet has taken stock of our action to boycott Plenary and considering that some of our demands, for example detaining our Members in gazetted places were met, we have resolved to return to Parliament but with actionable plans aimed at ending the violation of rights in Uganda,” said Mpuuga ahead of Tuesday plenary.(For comments on this story, call, text or whatsapp us on 0705579994, 0779411734, 0200900416 or email us at mulengera2040@gmail.com).