Speaker Among Tasks Police to Summon MPs Under Investigation Through Her Office

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has issued a directive requiring the police to summon Members of Parliament (MPs) under investigation through her office. The directive was announced during the plenary sitting on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, amidst growing concerns over the treatment of MPs under investigation.

Speaker Among acknowledged the ongoing investigations involving some MPs, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based prosecution.

She stated, “These investigations are part of the evidence-gathering process. Just as we believe in evidence-based legislation, we support evidence-based prosecution.” However, she condemned the re-arrest of Busiki County MP, Hon. Paul Akamba, outside the Anti-Corruption Court on Friday, June 14, 2024. She stressed that all stages of the investigation should adhere to the law, underscoring her directive that MPs should be summoned through her office.

Speaker Among also informed the House that Parliament will receive a detailed report on the ongoing investigations, particularly focusing on the reported brutal arrests of MPs. This move comes in response to growing concerns about the treatment of parliamentarians by law enforcement agencies.

The Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, echoed the Speaker’s sentiments, calling for the police and investigating bodies to uphold the rule of law during arrests.

“We are glad that the fight against graft is taking shape. It’s been five days since Hon. Paul Akamba was arrested but the police and his lawyers do not know where he is,” Ssenyonyi said. Akamba, alongside Bunyole East MP, Hon. Yusuf Mutembuli, and Lwengo District Woman MP, Hon. Cissy Namujju, was arrested on alleged corruption charges and has since been charged in court. said Ssenyonyi