We Shall Severely Deal with Parliament Attackers, Says Speaker Kadaga

Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga has vowed to “severely deal” with the two irate men who attacked parliament chambers on Wednesday afternoon.

Kadaga said that the parliament space is not the ideal place for the members of the public to show their grievances through demonstrations.

The two men identified as Mutasa Kafeero and Senjaka Dafarta who are reportedly members of the Red Top Brigade Movement were seated in the stranger’s gallery following proceedings of the House, before they suddenly jumped into the chambers accusing MPs of corruption. They were immediately arrested by parliament security officers.

“I warn the Public that we shall deal with you very severely if you try to invade our space,” Kadaga said.

“It is an offence for any person to create a disturbance which interrupts or is likely to interrupt the proceedings of Parliament. Therefore the people who were here committed an offence under the Parliament Powers and Privileges Act.”

According to Section 18 (a) of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, any person who creates or joins in any disturbance which interrupts or is likely to interrupt the proceedings of Parliament or a committee while Parliament or the committee is sitting commits an offence and is liable on conviction before a court to imprisonment for any term not exceeding two years.

“I also remind the public that if you want to demonstrate, there are ways of demonstrating, if you want to be dramatic jumping like Rambo, the National Theatre is here or you can go to the City Square and demonstrate from there,” Kadaga said.

In a statement released by Ismail Ranny, the Assistant Director, Communication and Public Affairs at Parliament, in the process of jumping into the chamber, there was a breakage of a glass cover of one of the tube lightings. Ranny also disregarded social media reports that there were gunshots in parliament.

“Proceedings resumed with the Speaker directing the Sergeant to investigate the incident. Contrary to some reports in the mainstream and social media, there were no gunshots fired or heard in the House. The noise heard was as a result of the breakage of the glass cover of one of the tube lightings,” Ranny said, adding that the two strangers are being interrogated by Police to establish their motive.

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