This week, MPs spent four days debating the inhumane manner in which
plain-clothed security operatives arrested opposition leader, Dr Kizza
Besigye.
However, hell broke loose when opposition MPs rejected a purported
video footage of that day’s events produced by government, saying it was
doctored. This resulted in more videos (from government and opposition)
being presented to show the ugly scenes during Besigye’s arrest.
David Tash Lumu & Sulaiman Kakaire captured the debate as it threatened to boil over.
Edward Ssekandi (Speaker):
Honourable members, I see that you have expressed a high spirit of
patriotism today (referring to the high attendance). Please continue
with the same spirit.
Matia Kasaija (State minister for Internal Affairs):
I found it important to show the House the video recording of what
happened during the arrest of Dr Kizza Besigye. I also want to answer
the wild accusations that were made by some members on Thursday (April
28) last week when Dr Besigye was arrested.
And this statement answers the questions that this House raised on
that day. (Kasaija presents statement and also shows MPs the official
government video footage of the events that led to the arrest of Besigye
and how he was evacuated from his car by Gilbert Bwana Arinaitwe and
Police).
Alice Alaso (Soroti Woman): We think
that there were missed facts in what the minister presented to the
House. This statement should clarify the source of the hammer and the
way in which the commando (man wearing a hood) hit the left side of the
car. So, who were these commandos behind the arrest of Dr Besigye?
Hussein Kyanjo (Makindye West):
We have landed into a problem of watching videos that are disconnected,
but I would like to appeal to the minister to be extra sensitive about
the lives of the Ugandans who are perishing in these riots. Even if
Besigye misbehaved, the issue is; how was he handled when he misbehaved?
And I think there is a problem of plain-clothed police officers
arresting suspects. From the video clip that was shown, there was
involvement of officers in plain clothes arresting people. Who are they?
And if they are security officers, I think what is taking place is not
right, you can’t use such officers to arrest suspects.
John Nasasira (Kazo; minister of Works and Transport):
Before elections, Dr Besigye said he would not go to court. So, for
those who understand, this would not mean a walk-to-work campaign. It is
more than that. This action for change is not just for change of
[commodity and fuel] prices, but a real threat to the country.
Amama Mbabazi (Kinkizi West; minister for Security):
First of all, I would like to talk about the question of the law. What
does the law say about demonstrations? (Reads Article 70). And this can
be read in accordance with Article 43.
So, when you are demonstrating, you should make sure you are not
violating the rights of others. Article 212 also says that this will be
handled by the police as clearly stipulated in the law. But here, we
have video footage of Besigye being directed by the police and he defies
the orders.
Mariam Nalubega (Youth Central): I
stand with a concern; if you go to Mulago hospital, you will hardly find
any victim beyond 30 years. This explains that politicians are using
the young people, since they are unemployed. But I request that whoever
wants to demonstrate should mobilize their children. Let us be civil and
have concern for the young people.
Janet Museveni (Ruhaama; state minister for Karamoja):
It is unfortunate for a leader like Dr Besigye to show the kind of
behaviour he has been showing day after day. It is even more
unfortunate, for members of the opposition to try to defend his actions.
Mr Besigye did not show any leadership capacity because if he had any
[leadership capabilities], he should have accepted police orders. I
think the opposition should do what they preach because when they come
here, they say a lot but nothing is shown out there.
Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum Woman): Is
it in order for the honourable member (Museveni) to say that Dr Besigye
has no leadership capacity? That a person who has served in various
capacities as a leader and a former physician to the current President
of Uganda has no capacity! (Ssekandi laughs).
Bright Rwamirama (Isingiro North): The
way we are moving as leaders is unfortunate. Even in our own homes, we
express displeasure, but you cannot do it continuously. When we become
leaders, we labour so much and cease living ordinary lifestyle.
I was so much hurt about the way Mr Besigye, my long-time friend, got
involved in activities that caused suffering to many innocent people.
But I also think the picture, which appeared in the Daily Monitor,
should be investigated. I do not see a possibility of a hammer hitting a
car windscreen three times and it fails to break unless it is a bullet
proof car.
Sulaiman Madada (Bbaale): When I
watched this video, I [saw] that the political class in Uganda is
becoming different. I think we political leaders should be careful, and
be responsible for actions that will affect our people.
Lulume Bayiga (Buikwe South): This
report (statement) lacks three things. First, it lacks an apology to
the citizens of the country. Secondly, the number of those who lost
lives. And thirdly, the state of our country’s security.
Achia Remigio (Pian):
Honourable members, instead of debating the videos, we should first
solve the problems that led to these videos, instead of dwelling on the
past.
Christopher Kibanzanga (Busongora South): I think we
don’t come here to win arguments, but rather to debate and find
solutions to our problems. Let’s forget the argument and find solutions
to the problems at hand. You can assassinate Besigye, but the problems
will [remain].
Nandala Mafabi (Budadiri West): Uganda belongs to all of us; don’t try to suppress anybody.
Kasiano Wadri (Terego):
Let there be civility while arresting individuals. In the video
recording that the government side showed, there was civility during the
arrest of the mayor of Washington (to justify the widely condemned
manner in which plain-clothed security operatives arrested Besigye, the
government also showed video clips of how Vincent Gray, the Mayor of
Washington, was arrested for protesting against the budget compromise).
I wish government could have done the same during the arrest of Dr Besigye. (Janet Museveni shouts).
Nandala Mafabi: I
thought Hon Museveni was saved, but I am surprised that she comes here
to tell lies. You know the problems; why are you shying away from them?
Even if you assassinate Besigye, the issues at hand will stick.
Abdu Katuntu (Bugweri):
This is mere acting. Everyone knows what happened, but they
[government] brought here the cut-and-paste videos. We can’t accept
this. We can sit here and debate, but we should understand that at one
point in time, what happened to Dr Besigye could happen to your child or
grandchildren.
Livingstone Okello Okello (Chua):
People are tired of this government. If you see the way the country is
being patrolled, you may think that Amin’s government is back.
Odonga Otto (Aruu):
I think the problem we have is about the fear by the government to
expose their weaknesses, just like people [feared] to tell their king
that he is naked. Hon Janet [Museveni] should stop pretending here that
she is saved when she is blaming the victim (Besigye).
dtlumu@observer.ug
skakaire@observer.ug
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