MP RIDES ON STUDENTS TO ESCAPE ARREST

Tuesday, 14TH OCT. 2008

DRAMA ENSUED at Makerere University on Tuesday afternoon, when Bukomansimbi County MP, Iddi Lubyayi Kisiki mobilised students to rescue him from an arrest by Moses Kirunda, a court bailiff sent from the High Court.

The court bailiff said that Kisiski was wanted by the court for failure to pay a court fee worth shs13.5 million, but declined to mention what that money was for.

The legislator argued that Kirunda is a stranger who wants to seize his car, and threaten his life for no reason. He also alleged that the arrest documents the bailiff was holding is forged, and students should investigate the man, adding that he possessed an illegal gun.

Students at Nkrumah hall bullied the enormous courtman for half an hour before the intervention of Wandegeya DPC, Phillip Acaye who rescued the situation by forcefully driving the MP off to the police post.

“Where did you get those forged papers from, and what power do you have to arrest me, and for what? You came with a gun to hijack me?” Kisiski yelled, as students shouted in his support.

Students asked Kirunda to produce his identity card, and to prove that the arrest warrants he possessed was genuine amidst noise from another mob demanding that the court person be beaten up and his car smashed.

Guild president, Robert Rutaro tried to explain to students that Kirunda was genuine, but to no avail. It was DPC Acaye who broke the noise when he came with escorts and drove the duo away.

However at Wandegeya Police station, the clash turned into a three-man show, upon the sudden arrival of Kampala Central MP, Elias Lugwago.

Lugwago told his fellow legislator that a man of Kirunda’s Caliber has full control over any body, once he is holding a warrant from the high court, adding that Kisiki should not try to minimise him (Kirunda).

“When it comes to civil matters, he has full powers to arrest any body. You cannot escape, because you are not above the law,” Lukwago said to the displeasure of his colleague.

“Lukwago you are not going to kill me! You are talking absolute nonsense. How can you say that crook has powers to arrest me?” Kisisiki shouted.

“But the arrest warrant is the authority, there is nothing much you can do. Simply abide by his command” Lugwago answered.

The DPC ordered the team, to report to Kampala Central police, which is in charge of the representative’s case.

The clash between MP Lukwago and Kisiki is not new. The brawl of the two politicians started last year, during a court battle where Lukwago, a lawyer was in defense of an allegation that the Masaka MP, lacked proper academic qualifications to run as Member of Parliament. Lukwago had also asked the Court of Apearl to dismiss Kisiki's case with costs.
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