Forum for Democratic Change has released a response to MP Odongo Otto’s dramatic statements that caused a storm at Kanyamunyu’s bail hearing yesterday.
The Aruu county MP was restrained by wailing relatives of the late Akena Kenneth after he launched verbal artillery at Winnie Byanyima, wife to Kiiza Besigye and aunt to the accused. Oxfam international director, Winnie was one of the sureties of the accused something that incensed Odongo Otto who vehemently denounced his support for Kiiza Besigye and FDC.
FDC yesterday released a statement clarifying that the party is not related to the criminal act before court and with examples; they explained that it is legal to represent one as a surety.
“We are a political party and not related to the criminal act before the courts today. We have however, made policy statements about the Criminal Justice. Also, for the record: Sam Njuba RIP acted as lawyer in Akbar Godi’s murder case. Mugisha Muntu, Reagan Okumu & Francis Epetait as sureties. We respect Criminal Justice processes.
Also Winnie Byanyima stood with Reagan Okumu and Mike Ocula when they were accused of the murder of an LC 3 chairman. Our supporters need to be reminded that standing for surety is legal and does not mean that one is in support of a criminal act however, that you take responsibility for one’s appearance in court. It is the Judge to decide the matter before the court not the surety”, read the statement published on their Facebook page.
It was chaotic yesterday at court when wife to opposition figure Winnie Byanyima arrived at bail case hearing. Flanked by wailing relatives of the deceased Akena Kenneth dressed in black tee shirts, the MP attacked Winnie Byanyima for “supporting a murderer”.
Hon. Odongo Otto has been at the centre of stirring up tribal sentiments since the death of Akena Kenneth.