MP Katusabe calls for unconditional release of Col Besigye

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Parliament was on Wednesday thrown into drama after Busia Municipality MP Geoffrey Macho (NRM) clashed with Bukonzo West MP Atkins Katusabe (FDC), clashed on the floor of the House.

The commotion began when Katusabe, sought for an update on the release bid of, Rtd Col Dr Kizza Besigye, who is currently detained at Luzira Prison.

Citing Rule 78 of the Rules of Procedure, Katusabe sought to interrupt debate on a procedural point. While the rule permits such interruptions, sub-rule (4) requires a member to specify the rule they believe has been breached, not to use the provision merely as a microphone pass.

In a show of leniency, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa allowed Katusabe to proceed.

“We also know that we have a value system in this country, and the value system is that I am my brother or sister’s keeper. December 25, 2024; I had no Christmas whatsoever, and I am in pain, Easter is at the door, and I am going to have another sad Easter. Taking Uganda as a family, wouldn’t this house pray through our leadership, you, Mr Speaker, that as a country, we ask the leaders of this family called Uganda to allow Dr Kizza Warren Smith Besigye to have Easter with his family come April 20, 2025,” Katusabe implored.

However, the mention of Dr Besigye's name again rattled Macho. Who shot to his feet, saying he was tired of listening to the same old chorus.

“I have noted my colleague, for almost fourteen days raising up with one matter. Fourteen complete days, when the house is sitting, talking about the same matter Christmas, Easter and on Eid. And repeating it on Christian and Islamic festival days, moreover as I talk now, the people of Busia municipality have problems with lack of enough electricity. Mr Speaker is our colleague really in order to waste time of our people instead of talking of issues affecting our constituencies than him repeating the issue every day. I don’t know whether he wants to be a deacon or bishop?” Macho fired.

Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, seemingly aware of how heated the matter could become, swiftly stepped in to clarify that Katusabe had the right to raise concerns about Dr Besigye, given his affiliation with the Katonga road based People's Front for Freedom (PFF) political outfit.

“He belongs to the FDC party, I don’t know which faction. But I know FDC and the person he is talking about is someone he is very close to. Sometimes, empathy comes in. It becomes very difficult to stop a member when something touches him so much. I would request that the member concludes his point. But we have also taken note that Busia has no electricity and you wanted it on record through Atkins,” Tayebwa ruled.

Returning to the microphone, Katusabe was full of praise for the presiding officer.

“Thank you so much, for your kindness, grace, mercy and generosity,” he acknowledged.

“I thought I was going to keep this beard until I see Dr Besigye out of prison. But I thought that would not work. So, just like I did with the Pope when he was ushered into intensive care unit (ICU), I told God that I am going to fast and I am not going to break my fast until the pope is out of ICU. I am happy that my holy father is well and making a lot of progress. So, for Dr Besigye, I have said, I am going to fast and will not break my fast until Dr Besigye is out of prison,” Katusabe vowed.

Fast forward, Katusabe appealed to Tayebwa, who was formerly a member of the FDC fraternity to join him in praying that God touches the hearts of the country’s leaders.

“That’s why some of us are requesting to meet with the leaders of this country to ensure that we build a country that is big enough to accommodate everybody including Dr Besigye,” he added.

Responding, Tayebwa said “When it comes to praying for a Ugandan, that one I do. And I urge you colleagues. We didn’t get details of which fasting. But honorable colleagues, the only challenge on our side and I believe on the side of the executive, I believe is, that this is a matter before court."

The Ruhinda North lawmaker further opined that "Dr Kiiza Besigye requested for bail, it was denied by courts. I believe the best route is to appeal, I don’t know whether he has appealed and he has followed the right process. And we pray that indeed, God grants him good health and courage to continue with the process that he is going through until, he is set free."