Kyadondo East legislator Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda yesterday faced the wrath of Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, who ordered the legislator to be physically carried out of the House. Mr Oulanyah ordered Mr Ssemujju to leave because he had refused to apologise for behaviour adjudged to have been rowdy during debate and passage of the Public Order Management Bill. “Honourable members, the House is not properly constituted. I am referring to the presence of Hon Ssemujju Nganda in the House,” the Deputy Speaker said. “I suspend the House for 10 minutes to allow him to get out of the House.” Close to two months ago, Mr Oulanyah, under Rule 84 of the House suspended the Kyadondo East member for “misconduct”. Mr Ssemujju was sentenced to missing three consecutive sittings of the House. He served out the suspension but, however, refused to apologise to Mr Oulanyah. “The Rules under which I was suspended do not say that I should apologise. The Speaker should sit in the chair and follow the Rules and not take decisions on the basis of his sentiments,” Mr Ssemujju told fellow MPs as the Deputy Speaker waited for him to leave the House. The Deputy Speaker suspended the House when it became apparent that Mr Ssemujju would not be leaving the chambers. There were fewer than 20 MPs in the House then. As the clock ticked, more trooped in. And then some went over to try to convince him to leave. First, were the lawyers in the House, led by West Budama South MP Jacob Oboth-Oboth and then some youthful female politicians (Brendah Nabukenya, Mariam Nalubega and Rosemary Najjemba). But he just waved them off, possibly fortified by the prompting of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, Gen Kahinda Otafire. “Hon Lukyamuzi, tell Ssemujju to harden like [Dr Kizza] Besigye. Let him [Ssemujju] superglue there,” said Gen Otafiire, as Ms Irene Muloni, the Energy minister, looked on smiling. In an attempt to break the stand-off, Mr Edward Ssekandi, the vice president and former speaker, walked across the floor to the opposition side to remonstrate with Mr Nganda. Still, Mr Ssemujju did not budge. “I am not leaving this place, let them come and lift me if they so wish. I can’t allow the Speaker to legislate using sentiments,” he repeated. After the 10-minute adjournment, Mr Oulanyah returned to the House from his chamber and ordered the Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr Ahmed Kagoye, “to get Hon Ssemujju out of the House”. As Mr Kagoye walked over to the MP’s seat, at least four opposition legislators held on to his arms, hoping to restrain the Sergeant-at-Arms. However, they were no match for one of the Deputy Speaker’s bodyguards and the Sergeant who soon had him out by the scruff of his neck. At least 40 NRM MPs clapped as Mr Ssemujju was being removed. State minister for Luweero Triangle Sarah Kataike Ndoboli, could be heard shouting, “You deserve it, you deserve it.” To the MPs who were cheering and calling for his defenestration from the House, Mr Ssemujju said: “Tomorrow it might be you being mugged out of the House. We should not allow the Speaker to govern the House basing on sentiments. I served the punishment, the Rules don’t provide for MPs to be apologising to the Speaker after the punishment.” MPs Paul Mwiru, Nabukenya, John Ken Lukyamuzi followed Mr Ssemujju out of the House.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Oct 2013 04:08:49 +0000
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