KAMPALA – The investigation into the conduct and confrontation between Hon. Francis Zaake (Mityana Municipality) and the Vice-Chancellor of Makerere University, Barnabas Nawangwe entered its third day with Parliament hearing testimonies from Anabelle Ndinamahoro, Head of Security at Parliament.
While appearing before the Rules, Privileges and Discipline Committee this morning, Ndinamahoro hinted at the fact that the CCTV cameras are not installed in committee rooms and conference halls, saying it was about time MPs and staff at Parliament appreciated the importance of CCTV cameras other than looking at the devices as a tool of destruction.
CCTV footage provided to the committee, captured Zaake pointing a finger, but the cameras didn’t indicate the person he was pointing at.
This prompted Ongalo Obote, the Chairperson Rules, Discipline and Privileges Committee to question if it was not time the administration at Parliament considered closing the gaps in CCTV locations within Parliament, because it isn’t the first time the committee has encountered the same challenge with the CCTV cameras.
“Is it something this committee should take seriously because if something had happened, we wouldn’t know what had happened isn’t it about time we reviewed positioning of CCTV to accord better security especially since the conference hall hosts many events,” said Ongalo.
The Head of Security said that at the time the CCTV cameras were being installed at Parliament, there was resistance to place the cameras in some areas.
“I am glad it is being echoed here. These are public places where we need to have full charge and full view. We need more CCTV cameras. It is time we take CCTV as part of our daily life not a weapon that is going to be used against us,” she said,
James Acidiri (Maracha East) said that it was about time Parliament revised its policy on CCTV cameras because the one provided may not offer ultimate solution to what the committee is looking for, “Evidence is quite limited and can’t give us a full picture of Hon. Zaake’s conduct unless we are to get more evidence as they were exiting.”
Stella Namoe (Napak Woman) said that the committee does not see anything to convince members that there was confrontation as alleged by Prof. Nawangwe that Hon. Zaake was hostile and so dangerous, “But we need to substantiate this. We really need something, we are meeting Zaake but the footage is not giving us enough information.”
