Opposition MPs stage walkout from Parliament

____________

Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, has led colleagues to stage a walkout from Parliament in protest.

These include; House Public Accounts Committee chairperson Muhamad Muwanga Kivumbi (Butambala County, NUP), Karim Masaba (Mbale Industrial Division, Indep) and Asuman Basalirwa (Bugiri Municipality, JEEMA).

The development on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, came shortly after Ssenyonyi condemned what he called acts that constitute an assault on the sacred August House. This was after chaotic scenes unfolded in Parliament during a debate on rationalisation bills.

Ssenyonyi explained that Members were beaten, brutalised and being shoved around like little children in Paliament. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)

“Rt. Hon. Speaker, I want to believe it was on your orders the media was thrown out, that people raided this house and beat up members. As far as I am concerned, you are meant to protect us, but Rt. Hon. Speaker you’ve ordered for our beating today and in this house,” Ssenyonyi said.

Zaake in pain after being boxed by a fellow MP. (Credit: Miriam Namutebi)

“As far as I am concerned this is like a scene of crime. Some of our members are in hospital, others are in Police detention, others I don’t know where they are. I don’t know whether you are concerned because you are smiling, you are happy,” he added.

However, the Speaker expressed ignorance to a media blackout saying there is no way she could have detected that.

Shortly after the statement, Opposition lawmakers left for a hastily prepared media briefing in the LOPs boardroom at Parliament.

"Now that I am not sure that you can ensure our safety, the media is away, we don't know who else you are going to send here to beat us up. I am constrained with my colleagues who are in fear to proceed under the circumstances," he stated.

According to Ssenyonyi, this incident stemmed from the actions of unidentified "Kanyama" (musclemen) who accosted MPs and seized their phones while the House was in session.

"When the media was taken out, the lights were switched off, the network was disconnected, the house was raided by strangers against Rule 237 of the Rules of Procedure. Members were beaten, brutalised and all of us were being shoved around like little children in our own house," he explained.