IGP Ochola summoned to parliament

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Martin Okoth Ochola is today Wednesday expected to meet the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee over rights abuses that transpired before, during and after the 2021 elections.

This was announced by the Committee Chairperson Agnes Wejuli Taaka during a hearing held on Tuesday.

“Hopefully he (Ochola) comes but we are expecting him tomorrow. And all this will be reported to him so that he explains to us but we really sympathize with you and we will do our part as members of Parliament,” Taaka disclosed.

Ochola is expected to respond to accusations from the Human Rights Network for Journalists- Uganda (HRNJU) Executive Director Robert Ssempala that his utterances might have fanned state instigated violence during and after the January 14 Polls.

In April 2019, four Opposition Members of Parliament demanded that the Inspector General of Police,  Martins Okoth-Ochola, be summoned to appear before the Committee on Human Rights to explain why police continue to foil activities of Opposition political parties.

Speaking during a press conference at Parliament, Buhwejju County MP Francis Mwijukye (FDC) said the IGP needs to explain why the police disrupt meetings and rallies of FDC despite the organisers informing them in advance.

“The IGP used to be a different Ochola before he was appointed. Does he know where (Gen Kale) Kayihura is? We have asked the parliamentary committee on Human Rights to summon the police leadership to answer these concerns,” Mwijukye said.

He said the police have themselves contravened sections of the Public Order Management Act (POMA) to foil Opposition meetings.

The MPs, who included Mr Roland Kaginda, (Rukungiri Municipality, FDC), Mr Fred Turyamuhweza, (Rujumbara County, FDC) and Mr Joseph Ssewungu, (Kalungu County, DP), wondered why FDC activities have been blocked in Jinja, Tororo and Mbarara.

Ssewungu said police are violating the rights of association by people who subscribe to different political parties.