Museveni took up arms, we just threw punches- Bobi Wine

Bobi Wine, who was among the 25 legislators handed marching orders by the speaker Rebecca Kadaga, says the fist fight that ensued following their defiance to depart the house was justifiable on all fronts.

“They wanted us to look on and cheer them as they raped the constitution. They wanted us to be gentle while some soldiers dragged elected representatives of the people out of the parliamentary chamber like grasshoppers,” he said.

“Gentleness has its place. Humility has its time. Decorum has its season. None of them is applicable in situations of injustice. No one would look on as their mother is raped. Uganda is our mother, I will never fail to do all in my power to defend and protect the constitution because that is what it demands of me,” he said.

Bobi Wine likened the situation to Museveni who at a youthful age took to the bush to over throw Obote’s government.

“President Museveni did not just use punches and kicks to fight what he thought was oppression. He used guns and led a war in which more than 800,000 Ugandans died. Are we wrong therefore to throw a few kicks and punches in self-defence and in defence of our country’s constitution?" he said.

The singer cum politician did not have any kind words for the ardent supporters of the age limit bill. He lashed out at Koboko Municipality Member of Parliament Evelyn Anite whose hubbub on the age limit has earned her a litany of adversaries.

“I do not blame Anite, just a few shillings can make her say anything,” he said.

Meanwhile army MP, Gen Elly Tumwine has defended the speaker’s decision to suspend Bobi Wine and fellow legislators from parliament.

Gen Tumwine argued that the suspended legislators abused their immunity by causing a bedlam at the floor of the House.

He expressed his disappointment in the legislators “degrading the pride of the country which they (Tumwine and cronies) fought for.”

“I spent three days asking members who were threatening violence, is this a do or die matter? We can not see after so much sacrifice a few people wanting to throw it away, it has been high cost. How can just a single motion divide the whole country? we have dealt with more serious problems than just a single motion,” Gen Tumwine said.