The Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga has vowed never to apologize for exercising her powers to suspend errant members from Parliament last week.
The speaker has been heavily criticized for suspending members and surrendering the house to security operatives who manhandled legislators out of the chambers injuring many.
In response to the criticism raised by the Parliamentary Forum on Constitution Supremacy and FDC Deputy Spokesperson, Paul Mwiru calling on her to apologize to the public, Kadaga noted that she would never apologize for upholding the Rules of Procedure of the House.
“I read in the press that Mr. Paul Mwiru a former member of this House addressed a meeting in which he accused me of inviting the security organs to Parliament; I want to respond that I didn’t invite any security organ to Parliament,” Kadaga said as she delivered communication from the chair during today’s plenary.
Kadaga observed that, “Two, I didn’t command any security organ to take any action in Parliament and I am surprised that a mere civilian is being accused of commanding security agencies, this just shows you how empty that thinking is.”
“I only heard in the press that evening that there might have been some other people here and I will not apologize for applying the rules of procedure in this house.” Kadaga said.
The Speaker noted that there was a clear breach of the rules and the conduct left the house in disrepute adding that she is the custodian of the rules of procedure and she will thus protect them always.
The government Chief Whip, Ruth Nankabirwa assured the Speaker of all relevant protection and Parliament as an institution of government.
Nankabirwa said, “Parliament is an arm of government, government cannot sit back when this arm of government is being attacked and that the Speaker is being threatened so that she is diverted from doing her work.”