The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | GODFREY SSALI | A Ugandan Member of Parliament has apologized for comments in support of men beating their wives which sparked condemnation across the political spectrum.
Onesimas Twinamasiko, the Bugangaizi East Mp from the western region district of Kakumiro Wednesday made a groveling apology in a personal statement presented to the House presided over by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanya.
“Rt.Hon Speaker and Honorable colleagues, I seek your understanding and earnestly pray that you and all members of the public, accept my sincere apology,” the statement reads in part.
A video clip shared by NTV Uganda, showed Twinamasiko, a journalist turned legislator saying women need to be beaten by their husbands in order to “streamline them.”
The former Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) West radio presenter was reportedly responding to condemnation of domestic violence by President Yoweri Museveni during the International Women’s Day celebrations in Mityana district last week.
The President told the nation that men who beat women are cowards and should face the full wrath of the law.
“As a man, you need to discipline your wife…touch her a bit, tackle her and beat her to streamline her,’‘Twinamasiko told NTV.
But Twinamasiko, 30 who is serving his first term in Parliament, said the utterances that have “caused public unease and angered many people,” were regrettable and begged to retract them.
“For the avoidance of doubt, may I at the onset affirm my highest respect for the dignity of women, and my unwavering faith in the inviolability of women? I actually detest all forms of violence against women,” Twinamasiko said.
In trying to contextualize his utterances, the Mp said the beating he meant is not the beating that the public perceived.
“On the particular video in question, while I never meant to condone violence against women, it is still not my intention to further strain the matter by making unnecessary justifications,” he told Parliament, without elaborating.
Whereas his last statement was accepted with smiles from male MPs including the Deputy Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, some female MPs did not seem pleased by the ‘other’ beating that Twinamasiko meant.
“Right Honorable Speaker, we would like Twinamasiko to clarify which other beating he is talking about,” Judith Franca Akello, Agago Woman MP demanded.
However, Twinamasiko did not clarify on the ‘other beating’ he meant since the Deputy Speaker Oulanyah guided that the beleaguered MP’s statement did not warrant debate.
Oulanya said that the Mp was let off the hook because personal statements do not attract debate according to Parliamentary rules of procedure.
Women activists and leaders including the former forum for democratic change (FDC) party President Dr.Kiiza Besigye and Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga criticised the comments by the Mp, saying they were demeaning to the women.
Other Ugandans especially those on social media responded furiously to Twinamasiko’s comments and Twitter hashtag #OnesmusTwinamasikoMustResign calling for his resignation was started.
PARLIAMENT VIDEO:
