The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among has summoned the minister to brief the national security situation in the country.
In her communication to the house on Tuesday, August 5, Ms. Among informed MPs that in line with the bomb suspects she learnt from Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga on the need to be vigilant.
She pointed out that it would have been good to hear the minister in charge of security briefing Parliament on the situation because it’s from the house that Ugandans can know what is happening in the country.
“…over the weekend, our security agents foiled a suspected terror attack at Rubaga Miracle Center Cathedral in Kampala; the security agencies reportedly recovered some bomb-making devices in other localities,” she said.
“I commend security for their swift response and urge the general public to always remain vigilant and always collaborate with security,” she added.
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon Mathias Mpuuga, said the government should show seriousness in handling the crisis by presenting a statement to Parliament.
“…are they [the Government] gathering intelligence or just running around; the front bench is sleeping on duty; I want to ask you Madam Speaker to use your prerogative to demand that they present a statement to Parliament,” he said.
But Third Deputy Prime Minister Hon Rukia Nakadama said the Government is in charge, and that President Yoweri Museveni will grant Security Minister Hon Jim Muhwezi clearance to give a security update to Parliament.
“I want to assure this House that the Government is not sleeping on the job; it is because of Government that you were informed and urged to stay vigilant; on matters of national security, it is the President to guarantee the Minister of Security to come and speak on matters [security]; I understand he is aware and Cabinet was briefed; security issues are not supposed to be publicized,” she said.
In response to the LOP, the Third Prime Minister, Rukia Nakadama said is working and putting things together and will appear on the floor to brief the nation.
She however warned lawmakers against exposing their security details because issues to do with security are very sensitive and should not be made public.
MP Henry Kibalya (NRM, Bugabula South) said the focus is almost entirely on the city and its environs, leaving upcountry cops under-facilitated and making the countryside vulnerable.
“The Police officers [in the countryside] are not facilitated; can we have the police come to the rescue of these people; give them motorcycles, fuel, and let the officers get facilitated,” he said.
To MP Alex Ruhunda (NRM, Fort Portal Central Division), there is a need for the government to swiftly address the security concerns in order not to hurt the economy, which he said is already struggling with rising commodities and fuel prices.
“The bedrock of our country is through peace and security; it is proper to know that saboteurs of this country will target it such that this country doesn’t have peace so that our economy collapses,” he said.
To reassure the tourism sector, he said, it is important for the government to have a controlled and deliberate communication policy with which to approach the current scare.
“We benefit a lot from tourism; we don’t need to minimize these alarms,” he said.
