Summary:
Minister Otafiire dismissed calls for an apology, stating that when one has reached Jesus, they do not need a Bishop to intercede on their behalf. He argued that since President Museveni had already made a statement on the matter, he had nothing further to add.
KAMPALA: The Uganda Parliamentary Press Association (UPPA) has announced a boycott of Uganda Police Force coverage following the refusal of the Minister of Internal Affairs, Kahinda Otafiire, to apologize for the police brutality inflicted on journalists during the Kawempe by-elections.
Minister Otafiire dismissed calls for an apology, stating that when one has reached Jesus, they do not need a Bishop to intercede on their behalf. He argued that since President Museveni had already made a statement on the matter, he had nothing further to add.
The boycott decision came after Nakaseke South MP Lutamaguzi Ssemakula demanded that Minister Otafiire apologize to journalists for the brutality and abduction they suffered during the elections. However, Otafiire rejected these demands, citing his absence from the country at the time of the incident.
“When you have reached Jesus Christ, you don’t need a Bishop. You reached Jesus Christ, and now you are asking a Bishop to explain,” Otafiire remarked.
He further stated, “My colleague, the Minister of State, addressed Parliament and clearly presented our position. The President has also spoken on the matter, and as members of the Cabinet, we are bound by collective responsibility to follow the statement of the Chief Executive. If you have further questions, they should be directed to the President.”
While MPs Peter Okeyoh (Bukooli Island) and Wilson Kajwengye (Nyabushozi County) supported Otafiire’s response and pushed for the meeting to proceed with the Ministerial Policy Statement, their motion was opposed by James Kaberuka (Kinkizi West). Kaberuka insisted that the Committee must not dismiss concerns regarding police brutality, emphasizing the need to identify those responsible for the violent acts.
“We need to highlight those who participated in brutalizing Ugandans. Let us not assume that we are here on our own behalf. These are serious concerns, and the Minister must provide answers. While a statement was presented in Parliament, there were several outstanding demands from MPs that need to be addressed,” Kaberuka stated.
Otafiire responded by reiterating that a formal statement would be presented before Parliament to address all concerns. “Whatever legitimate demands you have, they will be addressed in the upcoming statement. As I mentioned, I was not in the country at the time, and the Minister of State already made a statement. However, let me clarify: we are responsible for the police, but we are not accountable for the activities of goons,” he added.
Sam Ibanda Mugabi, President of the Uganda Parliamentary Press Association, defended the decision to impose a media blackout on all security agencies. He emphasized that the boycott would remain in place until the government guarantees journalists’ safety and ensures that incidents like the brutality witnessed during the Kawempe by-elections never happen again.
CUE IN MUGABI…..ON THE DECISION……ENG//
Meanwhile, MP Kaberuka has renewed calls for Parliament to investigate the identities of the masked individuals who carried out the brutal attacks on Ugandans during the elections. He urged the government to provide clear answers regarding those responsible for the violence and ensure accountability.
CUE IN MP KABERUKA…..ON THE ISSUE……ENG//
