By NANGAYI GUYSON
Kampala, Uganda- Recently, Ugandan police detained 11 female opposition Members of Parliament on suspicion of conducting an illegal demonstration; some of the politicians were hurt in the process.
The legislators were brutally arrested outside the parliament buildings in Kampala as they left the House to deliver a protest message to the Minister for Internal Affairs. They were protesting what they perceived as police violence and the excessive use of force to disrupt events that female legislators had planned in their local districts in recent weeks.
Parliament criticizes security agencies
Human rights advocates have responded to the arrest of the legislators. Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker, blasted the security services for what he called the harsh arrest of 11 female lawmakers.
While commemorating International Women's Day, the members of parliament have voiced their opposition to the ongoing harassment of their fellow lawmakers by security forces.
Tayebwa described the arrest as humiliating and haughty, saying that 'one would believe the police were detaining terrorists because some of the MPs were bruised while others had their garments ripped'.
"I vehemently condemn the manner in which police this morning detained 11 female lawmakers who were acting peacefully and without weapons. Some people's clothes were torn, and some are bleeding.
Thomas Tayebwa, the deputy speaker of parliament, claimed on Twitter that it appeared as though they were apprehending terrorists.
"Their arrest was made indiscreetly at the Parliament gates. Therefore, I'm not sure if we are actually safe if people can be stationed at the parliament's gates to beat up on-duty citizens.
Tayebwa encouraged the government to look into individuals making the arrests and those in charge of such operations, claiming they might not be acting in the government's best interests.
The way they conducted the arrests "casts a bad image on the government that is aimed at its sabotage, so these people must be working for an invisible hand," he continued.
The roughness used during the arrests was uncalled for, according to Gen. David Muhoozi, Minister of State for Internal Affairs, and he "strongly condemns it."
Muhoozi disclosed that he had given the legislators unconditional release instructions.
While acknowledging the minister's sentiments and the orders issued to that effect, the leader of the opposition, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, stated that he still demanded action against the police officers.
Mpuuga noted that even though they had filed a petition with the Speaker over the issue, that didn't preclude them from holding a lawful and constitutionally protected peaceful public protest.
He added, "Do these people operate under a different legal regime?" after observing Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, a serving army officer, breach the law by holding public rallies while being escorted by ministers unmolested.
Mpuuga asserted that if such acts persisted, they would cause dissent throughout the nation and that, if they did, he would take all legal measures to ensure that Parliament exclusively dealt with issues pertaining to the protection of its citizens' rights.
The Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Whips of the Opposition Parties, the Minister of Internal Affairs, and the Attorney General were all present at the meeting that the Deputy Speaker called while the House was in session.
The group decided that the policemen who abused the MPs would face consequences, and their behavior would be highlighted in a report for Women's Day celebrations.
The Deputy Speaker revealed that the Speaker, Anita Among, had gone to the Central Police Station to obtain the full release of the MPs.
Joyce Bagala (Mityana District), Stella Apolot (Ngora District), Florence Kabugho (Kasese District), Betty Ethel Naluyima (Wakiso District), and Joan Acom Alobo (FDC, Soroti City) are among the 11 people who have been detained.
The others are Hanifa Nabukeera (Mukono District), Joan Namutaawe (Masaka District), Juliet Kakande (Masaka City), Asinansi Nyakato (Hoima City), Hellen Nakimuli (Kalangala), Manjeri Kyebakutika (Jinja City), and Hellen Nakimuli.
The MPs petitioned the Speaker on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, about the mistreatment they had endured from security staff and Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) when hosting events in their districts.
The most recent occurrence occurred on Friday, April 21, 2023 in the Buvuma Islands and sent the district's woman MP, Hon. Susan Mugabi, to the hospital.
Police officers were seen fighting to stop the politicians, who were all dressed in black clothes, into a vehicle in videos of the altercation that went viral on social media.
Luke Owoyesigyire, a spokesman for the police, refuted claims that officers had overreached. He claimed that the legislators had resisted arrest and had hurt some police personnel.
He said that they had been released on a police bond after being detained for participating in an unlawful protest. Over the years, cruelty against opponents of veteran leader Yoweri Museveni has repeatedly been leveled against Uganda's security forces.