In a candid and thought-provoking statement, Kira Municipality MP Ssemujju Nganda has declared that the Museveni who fought valiantly in the Luweero Triangle is a figure of the past. According to Ssemujju, the current regime is a stark contrast to the revolutionary leader who once inspired a nation, suggesting a transformation that has led to governance by a fundamentally different person.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Ssemujju Nganda while asking the government why some of his party members were arrested in Kenya by Uganda security operatives, remarked on a troubling irony facing the nation. He observed that the country is now grappling with the same issues that once drove General Museveni and his comrades to take up arms in the Bush War.
Ssemujju expressed his amazement that the very problems that inspired Museveni to lead a guerrilla movement are now being perpetuated under his current leadership. This contradiction led him to assert that the Museveni of 1986, who was driven by a deep love for his country and its people, is long gone.
“I need an explanation from the Government, people were kidnapped from Kenya and beaten, and this Government of a “Freedom Fighter” that was in Luwero now the same Museveni is making MPs being brutally arrested, sitting them in the mud and charging them with public nuisance. Maybe Museveni disappeared and we have another person, so can we be told, why we are being mistreated in our country to this level?” asked Ssemujju.
Ssemujju Nganda further highlighted a troubling incident involving himself and other MPs. He recounted, “Nicholas Kamara of Kabale Municipality and I, along with several colleagues, were charged with public nuisance simply for delivering a protest note to the Kenyan embassy. The Kenyan embassy is not a mere outpost of Uganda; we even visit it to obtain visas. When I raised this issue last week, the Attorney General was unable to explain. Upon my visit to Kenya to seek clarity on the matter, we were arrested and subjected to physical abuse. Is this what they want us to endure? Are we expected to ascend to heaven for seeking justice?”
In response to Ssemujju Nganda’s claims, Attorney General Kiwanuka Kiryowa stated that an investigation would be launched to determine the circumstances that led to the public nuisance charges against Ssemujju. He however emphasized that holding a position as a Member of Parliament does not exempt one from being deemed a public nuisance by law enforcement agencies.
Kiryowa remarked, “I find it quite interesting that Ssemujju, a whole Member of Parliament, was charged with public nuisance. According to my last review of the law, even a Member of Parliament can be considered a public nuisance. However, I am not yet certain whether he was acting as a nuisance. We will investigate what Ssemujju was doing and provide further advice accordingly.”
It is important to note that the colonial-era law on public nuisance, under which Ssemujju was charged, has been declared unconstitutional by the courts. Both the Directorate of Public Prosecution and the Judiciary have faced criticism for using this outdated and nullified law to charge and remand peaceful protesters.
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