KAMPALA, UGANDA: Aringa South Member of Parliament Mr Yorke Alioni Odria who last week appeared in a video punching a police officer at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) elections has been summoned by police over assault.
Police Spokesperson SCP Fred Enanga confirmed the criminal summons on Monday afternoon and said through the Office of the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, the Legislator has to appear at the CID Headquarters on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at 10 am.
“You all remember very well that the MP, Alioni Odria is alleged to have acted in a disorderly manner at Parliament on the 29th of September, where he attacked and punched a police officer who was on duty, that is ASP Ssenge Alex without any legal justification, causing injury to his right ear, and the side head,” Enanga said.
Mr. Alioni who subscribes to the ruling National Resistance Movement – NRM was allegedly frustrated with the conduct of the elections after some members were granted permission to vote early due to personal reasons.
He shouted at the top of his voice and ran towards a police officer whom he later grabbed and punched. “Vote rigging, vote rigging, vote rigging,” Alioni was heard saying before allegedly punching the officer.
He was however stopped by the OC of Parliament and other officers.
“You all witnessed how violently he grabbed the ballot box and took it to the main building in disregard of the parliamentary electoral procedures,” Enanga asserted.
“So, for us, the best way to understand his motive for the unprovoked assault is to listen to him. And the first step also towards justice for the senseless act of violence against the officer is us reducing the statement of the MP into a written statement,” Enanga added.
“Of course, the police management has come out to strongly condemn attacks on police officers. And this continues to highlight some of the dangers that police officers face every day while performing their duties.”
The hotly contested election attracted 28 candidates for the nine seats. The EALA representatives were elected after more than seven hours of campaigning, voting, and tallying during a sitting on Thursday.
The six NRM MPs retained their seats; Rose Akol (422 Votes), James Kakooza (405 votes), Paul Musamali (401 votes), George Odongo (403 votes), Dennis Namara (415 votes) and Mary Mugyenyi (367 votes).
While Independent candidates Ms Amongin Jaqueline polled 338 votes, and the former Buyende district Woman MP, Kadogo Babirye secured 383 votes. DP’s Gerald Siranda polled 233 votes.
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