These protests started on social media platforms especially twitter on which Kenyans advised Ugandans to stop being timid by letting the law enforcers bully them.

Kenyans today brought the protests to the streets of Nairobi headed by The Law Society of Kenya, Amnesty International, Ugandans living in Kenya and student leaders who gathered at the Freedom Corner in Nairobi and marched to the Ugandan embassy on Riverside Drive.

Members of the LSK dressed in suits and red ribbons as a sign of solidarity with Uganda. Internet photo

This happened at the same time as the court session by the court martial in Gulu where the state withdrew the charges against Bobi Wine on account that it is injustice for him to be charged in an army court and that he should be charged together with the other suspects in a civilian court.

On being released, the protestors in Kenya changed their chants from “Free Bobi Wine” to “Free Uganda”.

Bobi wine was however rearrested by police and taken to Gulu majesty court where he was remanded until 30th August 2018 when he will be appearing in court together with the others who were arrested.

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Museveni warns security forces. Internet photo

President Museveni yesterday released a statement condemning in the strongest terms the shooting and beating of civilians by the Police.

The president questioned as to why police fired tear gas and live bullets during the Monday demonstrations that saw the rioters, section of the public, and journalists brutally beaten and arrested.

“Youth groups of Monday were more of a nuisance and psychological warfare than a menace, unless I get new facts. Why then, shoot at them, why fire tear-gas, why fire bullets?” he wondered advising the Police to use other means.

“Those mobile, tyre burning groups, who are not attacking anybody, should simply be chased on foot, identified from light helicopters (206- Agusto type) or UAUs, arrested and be charged with appropriate offences,” he continued.

In the same statement, Museveni condemned beating up of journalists and advised the police to rather arrest and charge them lawfully in case of disobedience. He informed the security forces that they don’t have the power to beat up people.

“I condemn, again, in the strongest terms the beating of journalists by elements of the security forces. It is true that the journalists working for foreign interests or for our own local parasites tell lies, they do not do balanced reporting,”

Soldiers beating a journalist as he covered the protests over the detention of Opposition MPs in Kampala on Monday. NTV PHOTO

“On account of that you can block them because sometimes they interfere with the scene of crime. If they refuse, you arrest them and charge them with disobeying lawful command

“Beating is wrong because the Security forces do not have that power. People should not be beaten even as a punishment. They can be imprisoned, fined, or hanged according to the law,” he advised.

This follows the recent riots and wave of demonstrations that have arisen from the brutal arrest of four MPs and over 30 other civilians on the eve of the ARUA municipality by-election. The MPs include MP Robert Kyagulanyi commonly known as Bobi Wine, Kasiano Wadri who won the by-election, Gerald Karuhanga and Francis Zaake whose where abouts have been unknown until of recent when he was “dumped” at Rubaga hospital where he is currently undergoing treatment.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL STATEMENT

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The parliamentary forum on youth Affairs while appearing before the presidential Affairs committee

The parliamentary forum on youth Affairs while appearing before the presidential Affairs committee rejected the Kampala capital city Authority Amendment bill 2015 which is currently on for scrutiny.

During the committee seating chaired by Adjuman district woman MP Jessica Ababiku on tuesday, the Research and policy officer with parliamentary forum on youth Affairs Saraha Akello said that the bill in its current form excludes the youth in KCCA administrative structures.

ALSO READ:MPs should avoid luxurious life – Deputy Speaker Oulanyah

“The youth and other marginalized groups such as women councils, disabled person’s council and elderly persons have no place within the proposed new KCCA framework, calling for provisions to be inserted in this bill for their existence.” Akello said.

The bill should accommodate the youth in Kampala and provide a section which allows the Authority to fund the youth and other special interest groups activities to avoid them being isolated without support.” She added

The proposed Kampala capital city Authority Amendment bill 2015 seeks to trim the lord mayors political powers which some MPS  on the committee saying would disfranchising the voters .

ALSO READ:Priest warned against participating in LC1 elections

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Hon. Betty Nambooze Bakireke under going treatment in India.

The Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Hon. Betty Nambooze Bakireke returned to the country on thursday from Manipal Hospital in India where she underwent a successful spine operation following the September 27 parliamentary fracas, when unknown security operatives evicted suspended legislators from the House.

“I am not saddened by what I am going through because I know there must be a price to pay if we are to get what we are fighting for,” she said shortly after her arrival.                                                                                    She vowed to continue from where she had stopped since it was her spinal cord which was injured, not her heart.

ALSO READ:MPs should avoid luxurious life – Deputy Speaker Oulanyah

“What hurts me is that am now included on the list of the privileged few who get medical treatment abroad on a tax payer’s money and that money would be used to equip Mulago Hospital and also increase doctors’ salaries,” Nambooze said.

she was referred back to Uganda’s national referral hospital (Mulago) where she is supposed to undergo the remaining therapy. The Mukonao legislator revealed that she spent sh250m-300m on her medical bills in India.

Last month, doctors treating Ms Nambooze advised her to seek treatment abroad for injuries she suffered on her spine during a scuffle over the proposed removal of the presidential age limit in parliament last month.
Ms Nambooze was hospitalized at Bugolobi Medical Centre for about a month before she was flown to India.
She was among the 10 MPs hurt after Special Forces Command operatives raided Parliament.

During the scuffle, Ms Nambooze sustained injuries and she was later diagnosed with a condition known as Limber spine.
Early this month, Ms Nambooze had a successful surgery but she had to remain in India for some weeks to undergo physiotherapy that would enable her resume walking on her own.

ALSO READ: Some MPs question meaning of Heroes’ day medals

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ALSO READ: Mugabe held at his home, says South African president

A section of Ugandan members of parliaments have come out to analyze the situation in Harare.  The minister of state for Urban Development also Buzaaya county MP, Isaac Isanga Musumba,  faulted the Zimbabwean leader  for the military move saying that President Mugabe needed to be sensitive to the population he has been leading since some of the people were a generation of liberation from colonial rule .

Zimbabwe awaits next steps after military takeover

Busiro East MP, Medard Segona, believes that the army takeover of power from Mugabe who has been Zimbabwean president for 37 years was uncalled for since the military has been part of the group running down the country.

Segona stated that as an instrumental figure in the African Union, Mugabe should be advised by the continental body to step aside to allow a new government to access power peacefully.

Kampala Central MP Muhammad Nsereko notes that what is taking place in Zimbabwe should serve as a  learning lesson to other African leaders who use the state sovereignty to man the state institutions as own properties.

Mugabe now aged 93, has dominated the impoverished country’s political scene since independence from the UK. His health has detoriated in recent years with critics accusing his wife Grace of usurping the presidential powers.

The military has seized control in Zimbabwe but has said President Robert Mugabe, in power since 1980, is safe.

RELATED: Zimbabwe military puts country on lockdown

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State Minister for Primary Education, Rosemary Seninde

The State Minister for Primary Education, Rosemary Seninde, has equated a two year certificate at ordinary level to an advanced level certificate saying this makes one eligible to enroll for a diploma.

She made the remarks while explaining to MPs government’s decision to scrap off one year certificate courses.

Last month the national council for higher education ordered all institutions of higher learning to stop teaching one year certificate courses arguing that these were contravening with guidelines of national council of higher education.

Seninde further explained that the national council for higher education realized that these one year certificates could not be used by anyone to upgrade for higher studies and that’s why it was scrapped.

She however, says that this will not affect tailor made courses that are geared towards empowering people with skills.

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Members of the 10th Parliament at orientation

Members of parliament are demanding unbearable allowances that would stretch parliament into financial crisis on top of  quick request for provision of vehicles. Members  of parliament demand for funeral rites allowance to cater for their constituencies, housing allowances and special allowances given to MPs as soon as they are sworn in.

The member of parliament for Bugabula south in Kamuli district Henry Morris Kibalya while at the members of parliament orientation said that MPs should be given each about 30 million shillings for funeral rites in their constituencies. Kibalya also asked parliament to release quickly funds for purchase of new vehicles for members of parliament, noting that in his constituency voters are tired of seeing him in a vehicle he used to campaign. The member of parliament for Bulambuli county Alex Burundo wondered  why parliament failed to give members of parliament a special allowance soon after swearing in, since MPs where financially incapacitated.

Some members of parliament called for the review of mileage allowances so as it gives much funds for fuel to MPs representing mountainous constituencies. However, the member of parliament for Nakaseke south Lutamaguzi Semakula asked parliament to block the media from accessing the MPs meeting when are discussing issues related to emoluments since the media exaggerate such matters to the public.

Responding to mps concerns the Director finance at parliament Patrick Kunobwa says that the demands will be looked into by the parliamentary commission and adjusted accordingly.

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Parliament in session

The Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kiiza is asking the speaker of parliament to protect MPs from unnecessary arrests by police with out her notice. She has given a case in point of Nakawa Municipality MP Micheal Kabaziguluka who was last week arrested from his home  for suspected cases of treason.

Kiiza says the process of arresting MPs has to be followed up by the office of the speaker because these parliamentarians lose out on their responsibility of representing their electorates.

The Kampala central member of parliament Muhammad Nsereko castigates police for keeping in custody leaders past 48hrs gazetted time without producing them to court and keeping them under house arrest which is an action of violating human rights. Hon. Elija Okupa demands that MP Kabaziguluka should be produced to courts of law if he has any cases to answer.

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The match was played in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations qualification match with Botswana scheduled June 4th 2016.

A brace from Tennage Hadebe in the first half  gave the Harare stars more confidence ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualification match with Malawi while pondering Crane’s chances ahead of Botswana.

Melvyn Lorenzen was given his debut chance to shine in Uganda Cranes jersey and was very impressive.

Cranes will continue with their preparation in Zimbabwe before traveling to Botswana on June 3rd 2016.

The Cranes first eleven that took part in the game include; Robert Ondongkara (GK), Denis Iguma, Godfrey Walsuimbi, Isaac Isinde, Murusgid Juuko, Hassan Wasswa, Luwagga Kizito, Yassar Mugerwa, Geoffrey Massa (Capt), Lorenzen Melvyn, Emmanuel Okwi

Substitutes;Denis Onyango, Joseph Ochaya, Aucho Khalid, Tony Mawejje, Edris Lubega, Erisa Sekisambu and Davis Kasirye.

Meanwhile, at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in Kenya, the visitors Sudan held ten-man Kenya to a 1-1 draw after  second half substitute Francis Kahata was sent off for a second bookable offense on the 90th minute.

Nazar Hamid put  Sudan in the lead twenty four minutes into the game against a run of play, a scoreline which stood into the interval.

However, the Harambee Stars showed resilience and equalised in stoppage time through Mandela header from Victor Ali Abondo free-kick.

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Southern Sudanese celebating their independence from Sudan. Photo Credit: ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images)

Some of the Member of Parliaments say that the withdrawal of UPDF from the South Sudan has  been long overdue because they did not support the deployment. Commander of the Armed forces Gen Katumba Wamala announced Monday that Uganda’s army will leave neighbouring South Sudan by first week of November.

Busia Municipality MP Kevina Taaka says the Army was supposed to be protecting Uganda borders instead of being inside South Sudan, but involving the army in South Sudan  was uncalled for and was just wasting the tax payer’s funds.

On the other hand, the MP PWD Western Region, Hood Katuramu, says it was very good for UPDF to stay in South Sudan to author peace and make sure that Sudan becomes part of the East African community. He adds that UPDF played a good role to curb ethnic wars that were likely to erupt in S. Sudan.

The move was a key rebel demand during drawn-out talks which led to a peace deal in August; they asked that all foreign forces leave by 10 October, 2015.

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