{UAH} Uganda: MPs Warn EC, Supreme Court

Uganda: MPs Warn EC, Supreme Court

BY DEO WALUSIMBI, 28 FEBRUARY 2014

Some outspoken MPs used a press conference yesterday to warn the Electoral Commission chairman, Prof Badru Kiggundu, and the Supreme court not to lean towards politics in their handling of the case involving the four expelled MPs.

Speaking at Parliament yesterday, the MPs who included Gerald Karuhanga (Youth Western, Independent), Ssemujju Nganda (Kyadondo East, FDC), Mariam Nalubega (Butambala Woman, Independent), Joseph Ssewungu (Kalungu West, DP), Alice Alaso (Serere Woman, FDC), Winnie Kiiza (Kasese Woman, FDC), Deogratius Kiyingi (Bukomansimbi, DP) and Beatrice Anywar (Kitgum Woman, FDC) said President Museveni had 'specialised' in using institutions to witch-hunt politicians with dissenting views.

They warned Eng Kiggundu, who is reportedly organising by-elections in the expelled MPs' constituencies and the Supreme court which is handling the MPs' appeal against last week's Constitutional court ruling that effectively ousted them from Parliament.

"I was shocked, but not surprised by the pronouncement by the chairman of the Electoral Commission that they are preparing fresh elections that will deny the people of Lwemiyaga the right of representation they deserve," Ssemujju said, adding: "We all know that Museveni is determined to use institutions like the Electoral Commission to achieve his goals."

Ssewungu said:"Government should go slow on rebel MPs because they are playing with the Constitution of this country, they must bear it in mind that their act is dangerous and we are urging the Supreme court to administer justice well because their ruling regarding the rebel MPs will have serious implications."

Alaso added: "It is not the rebel MPs who are on test; rather, it's the Supreme court because these MPs are going through all these tough moments because they were speaking on behalf of the people and the ball is in the coat of the Supreme court judges... ."

The MPs' response was provoked by their colleague Karuhanga, who said the Supreme court registrar was absenting himself to deny the affected MPs court services and smoothen the process of their eviction from Parliament.

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower