Africa-Press – Uganda. Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa was compelled to suspend Parliament for 10 minutes after the Parliament staff responsible for playing the video evidence submitted by the opposition mysteriously vanished from the technical production room.
The video was meant to showcase security forces’ brutality against National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters.
Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga informed Parliament that the technical officer tasked with playing the opposition’s submitted video had disappeared, suggesting deliberate sabotage to prevent its presentation in Parliament.
“As members of this House, we emphasise the importance of maintaining an accurate record rather than spreading rumors. I have personally verified the situation in the technical room, and the officer in charge of playing the video is nowhere to be found. This clearly indicates deliberate sabotage, which we, as MPs on this side, cannot accept,” stated Mpuuga.
The opposition declared that they would refuse to engage in any debate until the video was played.
The singing of the national anthem by the Opposition made it difficult to proceed with the debate.
Upon adjourning the plenary, the Speaker announced his intention to address the matter.
Mpuuga and Shadow Attorney General were summoned to the VIP lounge to seek a resolution.
Mpuuga revealed that the IT officer responsible for the technical wing had disappeared, prompting the Speaker to initiate an investigation.
Earlier, Tayebwa warned MPs against disrupting the parliamentary proceedings, assuring them that unlike the previous week when he prematurely adjourned the plenary sitting, this time he would take stern action against disruptive MPs.
Previously, NRM MPs attempted to halt the playing of the Opposition’s video, with Isaac Otimgiw,MP Padyere County demanding that the Opposition provide evidence of the video’s authenticity before presenting it to Parliament.
The government, however, defended the arrest of Kyagulanyi from the plane, stating that being a former presidential candidate did not exempt him from the law.
They urged Kyagulanyi’s friends and supporters interested in meeting him to visit his home instead of gathering at the airport or on the streets.
The police also justified the siege on NUP offices, accusing the party of organizing a parallel Independence celebration.
They claimed that the party intended to carry out a disruptive illegal procession, aiming to portray the national celebrations in Kitgum as a sham.
They argued that the prayers held by the party were merely a guise to announce their next course of action.
Security forces cordoned off the NUP head office in Kamwokya, Kampala, as the party prepared to hold prayers for their alleged supporters who lost their lives due to actions by the regime on October 9.
Kyagulanyi was taken from the Entebbe airport and directly escorted to his home without undergoing regular immigration procedures.
He alleged that he was manhandled, and his supporters were arrested without any valid reason.
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