The speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah has lashed out at the European Union for allegedly being biased against the government when it comes to matters of political violence in Uganda.
During a meeting with them, Oulanyah asked the EU delegation why they never come out to reprimand the opposition leaders who promote violence.
He noted that there is a need to have a balanced look at things, and that security forces are often demonised while political actors who actively advocate for violence earn the victim tag and get away with it.
“There were accusations of repressive police action against these people who are calling for violence. The people who call for these have taken it publicly not privately in the media and in the newspapers. Nobody is talking about them. It is possible for us to weigh the whole picture and say anybody who calls for violence must be reprimanded?”he asked.
On corruption, the speaker said that Parliament will fight the vice and also show results for it, saying the accountability committees will be empowered and inspired to take on their roles candidly, and that all those adversely named will have to answer for their actions.
Anna Merrifield, the deputy head of the EU delegation said they reached out to every political party with a call for peaceful elections.
“It is extremely important that we condemn all sides of violence but there is also special responsibility of the state to maintain balance and checks,” she said.
