Speaker Blasts Police For Violent Arrest of MP Akamba

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has blasted the government over the brutal handling of MPs.

The speaker was responding to the kidnapping of Busiki County MP Paul Akamba by plainclothed security officers.

Akamba was picked up on Friday, 14th June, after securing bail at the Anti-corruption Court in Kampala.

Akamba is facing charges of corruption alongside two other MPs. The others are Bunyole East’s Yusuf Mutembuli and Lwengo District Woman MP Cissy Namujju.

Since Friday, the whereabouts of Akamba haven’t been known, but Hon. Among confirmed that he is in the custody of the Police.

While addressing Parliament on Wednesday morning, the speaker confirmed that Akamba is at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters. She also said that the legislator is facing fresh charges over another case.

Much as she didn’t provide the particulars of the new charges, Akamba has spent more than the mandatory 48 hours without being presented in court.

Additionally, the speaker hinted at attending a meeting with heads of investigative bodies.

“As you are aware, some of our colleagues are going through investigations. We held a meeting yesterday with the heads of investigative bodies and we will get a report on the discussions we had, especially on the brutal arrest not only of our members but of everybody outside there. We need to respect the rights of our citizens,” Anita Among said.

She also called upon the Police to issue summons for MPs through her office.

Additionally, Speaker Among warned that the summons shouldn’t be based on hearsay. She also rubbished the talk of summons for over 30 MPs that has been circulating in the media.

Speaker not happy with NEMA

The Speaker also blasted the Police for the brutal treatment of Leader of Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi on Monday.

Police fired tear gas to disperse Ssenyonyi and other Opposition MPs as they visited Lubigi Wetland.

The visit was meant to assess the impact of the National Environmental Management Authority’s eviction of locals.

She also wondered why NEMA selectively left malls built in wetlands and demolished houses in Lubigi.