Museveni yet to respond to Kadaga

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | President Yoweri Museveni’s press secretary Don Wanyama has clarified that State House is yet to respond to the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga on the issue of the September 27 “invasion of the parliament precincts”. Wanyama said a related letter doing the rounds on social media “is a fake”.

“I gather most of you are inquiring about this letter purportedly written by the President to the Speaker. It is a fake. It is a concoction,” Wanyama posted on facebook.

“Apologies to my media friends who have been trying to reach me in vain. I am unwell and was far off the phone,” Wanyama added.

“Please disregard it with the due contempt it deserves. Concerned authorities will get those behind these forgeries and bring them to account.”

The letter, tweeted by former Presidential Candidate Kizza Besigye on Friday night, implied Speaker Kadaga had inside knowledge about the September 27 incident in parliament that saw plain clothed security operatives throw suspended MPS out of parliament.

Kadaga’s letter

Speaker Kadaga has written a letter to President Yoweri Museveni on the “Invasion of Parliament” on September 27. (A copy of the reported letter below)

Fighting ensued September 27 as plain-clothes security operatives stormed Uganda’s parliament to help throw out suspended but defiant Members of Parliament (MPs) who tried to stop the tabling of a consititutional ammendment bill dubbed the “Age Limit” motion.

MP Raphael Magyezi (Igara West,NRM) later tabled uninterrupted, a motion seeking leave of parliament to introduce an omnibus Private Member’s Bill to amend Articles 102 (b), 108(3a) and 108(4) of the constitution.

• COPY of the letter

H.E the President

State house

P.O.BOX 25947

Your Excellency,

RE: INVASION OF THE PARLIAMENT PRECINCTS BY SECURITY AGENCIES ON THE 27^TH SEPTEMBER 2017

As you may be aware there were some disruptions of Parliament proceedings by some rowdy members of Parliament on the 21stSeptember, 26^th and 27^th September 2017.

I took action to suspend 25 members of Parliament from the service of the House for three (3) sittings.

However, after I had requested the Sergeant At Arms to remove the Members from the precincts, unknown people entered the Chamber beat up the Members, including those not suspended and a fight ensured for over one hour.

I have had the opportunity to view the camera footages of what transpired and noticed people in black suits and white shirts who are not part of the Parliamentary Police or the staff of the Sergeant At Arms beating Members. Additionally footage shows people walking in single file from the Office of the President to the Parliament Precincts.

I am therefore seeking an explanation as to the identity, mission and purpose of the unsolicited forces. I am also seeking an explanation about why they assaulted the Members of Parliament.

I am also seeking an explanation why the members were arrested and transported and confined at Police stations.

I would also like to know who the commander of the Operation was since the Parliamentary Commission/speaker did not request for any support.

Yours faithfully

Rebecca A. Kadaga (MP)

SPEAKER OF PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

Cc. Rt. Hon Prime Minister

Cc. Minister of Internal Affairs

Cc. Inspector General of Police

Cc. Commander of the Special Forces Command

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