Kampala, Uganda: Mathias Mpuuga- the Leader of Opposition (LOP) in Parliament has offered to resign from the position and the Nyendo-Mukungwe parliamentary seat should anyone bring evidence of his involvement in any negotiations with President Yoweri Museveni regarding the release of MPs Allan Ssewanyana and Muhammad Ssegirinya.
The two MPs, who have been on remand at Kigo since September 2021, were granted bail on Monday by Justice Lawrence Tweyanze. Since then, Mpuuga has been on the spot over his alleged involvement in negotiations with the state to release the two MPs.
Speaking during a political talk show on CBS radio last evening, Mpuuga denied any talks with state officials.
“I heard some of our colleagues saying that I negotiated for the release of our comrades in detention. Negotiation is a give-and-take; what should I give in exchange for their freedom?” asked Mpuuga before offering to resign if anyone brought evidence of the alleged negotiations.
On Thursday, the National Unity Platform (NUP) leader, Bobi Wine, real name Robert Kyagulanyi, admitted that he’s aware of the insinuations that MPs Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya were released after negotiations with the state.
However, he also denied being part of it.
“If anyone took part in any negotiations to secure court bail for detainees, they did so without my knowledge or endorsement,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mpuuga, who threatened to sue the Daily Monitor about their story that linked him to the negotiations, asked NUP supporters to be respectful while pushing for a change of government.
“Some people in NUP should sit down, and we lead them. They’re not decent enough to be leaders, they’re driven by media excitement,” he said.