Outrage over Arrest of Female MPs

The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, has criticized the security agencies for the brutal arrest of 11 female opposition legislators on Thursday, 27 April 2023.

The MPs were protesting the continued harassment of their colleagues by security agencies as they celebrate the International Womens’ Day in their respective constituencies.

Tayebwa called the arrest demeaning and high-handed in nature and urged the government to investigate the arresting officers and those supervising such operations.

He said “one would think the police were arresting terrorists because some of the MPs were bruised while others had their clothes ripped.”

Tayebwa added: “These people must be working for an invisible hand because the way they went about the arrests casts a bad image on the government that is aimed at its sabotage.”

The Minister of State for Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi, has issued instructions to release the legislators unconditionally.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, has demanded action on the police officers and has held a meeting with the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, Opposition Party Whips, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Attorney General.

The Deputy Speaker suspended proceedings of the House and held a meeting with the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, Opposition Party Whips, the Minister of Internal Affairs and Attorney General.

The meeting resolved that action is taken on the officers who mistreated the MPs and that their actions 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 ensure the unconditional release of the 11 MPs who were arrested.

The lawmakers who were eventually released include Joyce Bagala (Mityana District), Stella Apolot (Ngora District), Florence Kabugho (Kasese district), Betty Ethel Naluyima (Wakiso District) and Joan Acom Alobo (FDC, Soroti City).

The MPs petitioned the Speaker of the brutality meted on them as they held events in their constituencies by security operatives and Resident District Commissioners (RDCs). The latest incident was on Friday, 21 April 2023 in Buvuma Islands which led to the hospitalization of the district’s Woman MP, Hon.Susan Mugabi.