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Ssenyonyi criticized statements made by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Minister Minsa Kabanda, and Minister Balaam Barugahara, who claimed that the Opposition was responsible for the violence
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BY Our Reporter
Kampala – Kira Municipality MP Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda has challenged Speaker Anita Among to explain why Elias Nalukoola, the MP-elect for Kawempe North, has not yet been sworn in, despite precedents where some ruling party MPs were sworn in within 24 hours of their by-election victories.
Ssemujju cited the case of Michael Mawanda (Igara East), who was declared the winner of a by-election and sworn in the very next day.
“After a by-election, Michael Mawanda was declared the winner, and the following day, he was sworn in. As the head of this House, can you tell us when Nalukoola will be sworn in? Mawanda was sworn in within 24 hours,” Ssemujju questioned.
In response, Speaker Among said she had not yet received a copy of the official gazette from the Electoral Commission (EC), which is required before the swearing-in can take place.
“When a member wins, I wait for the gazette. When I get the gazette, that is when I swear in the member. So, I am waiting for the gazette. I need to hear from the Electoral Commission,” she stated.
Leader of opposition demands answers over delays and election brutality
Leader of Opposition (LoP) Joel Ssenyonyi also expressed frustration over the Electoral Commission’s delay in gazetting Nalukoola as the elected MP for Kawempe North.
“We are dismayed that up to now, the Electoral Commission hasn’t gazetted the person who won the Kawempe North by-election. We followed up, and they told us they are sorting out internal issues. We don’t know what that means because in the past, this has been done in record time. Can the Government tell us what has caused the delay?” Ssenyonyi asked.
Ssenyonyi further tasked the Government to explain the brutal treatment of opposition leaders, journalists, and voters during the Kawempe North by-election. He questioned whether the statements made by some government officials, blaming the Opposition for the violence, represented the official position of the Government.
“We kept raising the matter of brutality in the Kawempe North by-election, and Government kept giving us commitments. The Speaker even tasked them to report back to this House. But the situation got worse. Our candidate was assaulted, our leaders and supporters were brutalized—even on election day. Journalists weren’t spared; they were beaten, abducted, and dumped with injuries,” Ssenyonyi lamented.
He criticized statements made by Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Minister Minsa Kabanda, and Minister Balaam Barugahara, who claimed that the Opposition was responsible for the violence.
“I saw the Prime Minister and Ministers out there saying that we in the Opposition are responsible for this violence, that we hurt ourselves, that we beat journalists. Some of the statements were simply ridiculous. I don’t know if that is the official position of the Government,” Ssenyonyi remarked.
“Can Government tell this House who was responsible for this brutality? Who ordered the attack on leaders, citizens, and journalists? When we raised these issues, Government officials expressed concern. Can we now get clear answers?” he demanded.
Ssemujju Condemns Heavy Military Deployment During Elections
Meanwhile, MP Ssemujju Nganda questioned the Government’s decision to deploy Mamba armored trucks during the Kawempe by-election, equipment he said was last seen when the army was fighting Joseph Kony’s rebels in Northern Uganda.
“I intend to bring a motion asking Parliament to condemn the brutality against the media. I don’t know what we must do to make this Government understand that the media is there to cover and report for everyone, including the NRM. But I saw Mamba armored vehicles deployed in Kawempe. The last time I saw them was when the Government was battling Kony,” Ssemujju stated.
He further noted that the Parliamentary Elections Act prohibits the carrying of weapons at polling stations, yet heavily armed personnel and military-grade equipment were deployed during the election.
“These vehicles, which are usually seen with the President, were deployed at polling stations in Kawempe. Why? The law does not even allow a simple gun at polling stations. What was the reason for this kind of deployment?” Ssemujju questioned.
As pressure mounts, both Parliament and the Electoral Commission are now under scrutiny to explain the delayed swearing-in of Nalukoola and address concerns over election-related violence.
Torch Media Africa
