Museveni’s Ultimatums Upset Kenyan MPs
On Thursday, August 24, members of Parliament voiced their displeasure with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni over the ultimatums he issued to the Kenyan government, which is pursuing the release of 32 Kenyans imprisoned in Uganda for 20 years.
In a statement read to the Parliament by the leader of the Majority, Kimani Ichung’wah, Museveni requests that Kenya compensate the families of five Ugandans purportedly killed in Karamoja by Turkana County headers before releasing the convicted individuals.
Museveni is also pursuing the return of the alleged murderers to Uganda to face murder charges.
The MPs, led by Opiyo Wandayi, the leader of the Minority, argued that Uganda was inconsiderate with its demands and that it was unjust for Museveni to link the two unrelated cases.
The lawmaker from Ugunja also demanded that the government do more to secure the release of the Kenyans who, in his opinion, were unfairly imprisoned. According to Wandayi, Kenya appeared vulnerable during negotiations between the two nations.
“It seems as if nothing is holding Uganda together, yet we are aware of our mutual dependence. Wandayi pondered, “It is as if they are doing us a favor by releasing those who we believe are being held in error.”
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Why can’t they release the headers to Kenya and then ask the authorities to locate the murderers? He continued.
Wilberforce Ojiambo, a member of parliament for Funyula, concurred and opined that Uganda was using Kenyan headers as a lure in violation of international human rights law.
In addition, the representative urged the government to pursue the release of Kenyans detained by Ugandan soldiers along Lake Victoria on multiple occasions.
“Uganda should be aware that our economic and military dominance exceeds theirs. How can we allow Kenyans to be prosecuted in Uganda when our judicial system is superior? That is degrading,” he stated.
In response to the legislators’ concerns, Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei directed the Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee to investigate the matter and submit a report to the House of Representatives.
After being found guilty of unlawfully possessing firearms and ammunition, the 32 headers were sentenced to serve 20 years in prison in April.
Museveni’s Ultimatums Upset Kenyan MPs
