Kampala, Uganda.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, on Wednesday, found himself at the centre of controversy as he is required to justify the government’s decision to relocate Luzira Prison from Kampala to Buikwe district.
The directive came from Speaker Anita Among, responding to concerns raised by Igara County West MP- Gaffa Mbwatekamwa.
Mbwatekamwa expressed his unease over the government making such a crucial decision without consulting the representatives of the people.
According to Mbwatekamwa, absence of any official communication or clarification from the government regarding the relocation of Luzira Prison.
He pointed out that the matter had been circulating on social media, but neither the Minister nor the Prime Minister had addressed it in the Parliament.
The MP stated that decisions of such magnitude should involve consultations with the people’s representatives to ensure transparency and accountability.
He further presented two crucial documents during the parliamentary session, both of which are already in the public domain.
The first document is a presidential instruction dated 10 July 2022, directing Gen. Otafiire to oversee the relocation of Luzira Prison.
The second document is a letter from Otafiire dated 22 February 2022, inviting stakeholders to participate in consultative meetings regarding the prison’s relocation.
This revelation raises questions about the timeline of events and the level of engagement with relevant parties.
Allegations Against Otafiire
The controversy surrounding Gen. Otafiire intensifies as concerns about his involvement in the relocation process are compounded by allegations of grabbing a government ranch in Buikwe district.
However, the Minister faces scrutiny not only for the decision itself but also for his actions, which have attracted negative publicity.
These allegations further add to the complexity of the situation and raise questions about the credibility of the decision-making process.
Speaker Anita Among, cognizant of the parliamentary rules of procedure, guided Mbwatekamwa to wait for Gen. Otafiire’s presence in the House before raising his concerns.
Among stressed that discussing matters concerning individuals who are not present in the House is against parliamentary rules.
However, she acknowledged that if the allegations are true, the Minister should be allowed to explain, considering the Official Secrecy Act.
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