Former Bugabula South MP, Asuman Kiyingi wants Parliament Speaker Rebecca Kadaga to investigate the source of the note that was written to Kamuli municipality legislator, Hajjat Rhema Wetongola while threatening her against voting for the age limit amendment.
On December 19, during the Age Limit Bi debate, Wetongola read a note to the Speaker purportedly written by Asuman Kiyingi warning her not to speak contrary to what Bugabula South MP Morris Kibalya had submitted in regard to amending article 102(b). Kibalya had not supported the amendment.
It is said that the note warned Wetongola that if she attempted to support the Bill, she would be destined for danger.
However, while addressing the media at Parliament on Thursday, the former State Minister for Works, Kiyingi denied having issued any threats to Wetongola adding that he respects democracy and for everyone to freely express their views.
“I have never written to Hon Wetongola. She is my good friend and for any reason, I would have called her as I always do,” Kiyingi said.
Kiyingi said that he has since written to the Speaker to fully investigate the matter to ascertain the source of the note so that they are held accountable.
“Am a strong believer in constitutionalism and the rule of law and i firmly believe in the right of every Ugandan to express him or herself freely on any matter without fear of intimidation or black mail”.
“It is for that reason that I took strong exception to someone trying to drag my name in cheap politicking to the cost of my hard built reputation,” Kiyingi said.
However, Wetongola suspects that MP, Morris Kibalya was behind this very note that threatened her life. She has asked that Kibalya be investigated.
“It is bad to suspect someone when he is not the one, but when I was going to present the letter, one MP requested me not to present the letter on the floor,” Wetongola said.
“I suspect Hon Kibalya to have written that letter and then pretended that it was Kiyingi,” Wetongola said.
Wetongola says she was forced to bring up the issue because she was intimidated and could not accept such threats against her safety.
During Wednesday’s vote on the Bill, Kibalya voted against the age limit amendment.