The Leader of Opposition in Parliament Mathias Mpuuga has warned legislators especially from National Unity platform (NUP) that they risk being attacked by angry supporters if they don't work on some issues.
Addressing the opposition cabinet on Tuesday, Mpuuga revealed that a number of opposition members of parliament have been attacked and injured.
Among those attacked include Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament Francis Zaake Butebi who was confronted in Kawempe, a Kampala suburb by angry NUP youths who left his bodyguard badly beaten.
Another NUP Member of Parliament who was attacked was the Kyadondo East legislator Muwada Nkunyingi who survived being lynched.
"During our Tuesday cabinet meeting, I took note of the growing threat to our members' safety. This follows two separate attacks on our members last weekend. Members are urged to be cautious," Mpuuga said.
However, sources at Kamwokya told theGrapevine that many NUP members are in hidding from their supporters who are accusing them of betraying the struggle for personal benefits.
Sources in NUP added that the weekend's attack on MP Zaake was organised by NUP youths who are not happy with their leaders who have decided to turn a deaf ear and neglected many of their supporters who are currently rotting in prisons while those who were recently released are dying of hunger in their houses.
"Apart from honourable Muhammad Ssegirinya of Kawempe North, who is trying to offer help to some of our members, other legislators are building houses, marrying wives and living a lavish life," a disgruntled youth told theGrapevine.
This youth added that they risked their lives to make sure that NUP candidates go to parliament so that the struggle benefits all Ugandans but it's a pity that many of their colleagues are no longer picking their phones.
He added that surprisingly, when Edward Sebuufu alias Eddy Mutwe and Ali Buken alias Nubian Lee who are very close friends to the party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu were released, NUP leaders stopped fighting for the release of other supporters and started enjoying their new political offices.
Sources in Kamwokya have however disclosed that the party leadership has taken the threats from the youth serious and they have hurriedly started working on their issues including filing court suits to rescue their members.
On Wednesday, High Court judge Boniface Wamala dismissed an application filed by NUP lawyers led by Anthony Wameli seeking a certificate of urgency to hear their suit where they want some of their supporters who are still in detention released.
By Sengooba Alirabaki
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