While giving her medical explanation of the circumstances and various scenes that unfolded before Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake were referred and cleared for treatment abroad, Health Minister Dr. Ruth Aceng stated that the actions were within confines of the law.
In a joint address by government officials including the Security Minister, Gen Elly Tumwine, at Uganda Media Centre, Dr. Aceng opened her remarks saying; “The Medical Board didn’t delay any of the Members of parliament from leaving as it was in the media.”
She stated that the legislators rejected to be examined by government specialists. She explained that it is mandatory to referred while following the established protocol for sake of the patient and government’s image.
“When you decline to be touched, we don’t touch you. We only explain. The examination was at the request of police and it was given to them”, she stated.
Dr. Aceng noted that there are chances of ending up in the hands of dubious medical workers and facilities abroad if procedures are not followed.
When asked about the capability of Ugandan health facilities, she alleged that the legislators’ did not need to be referred abroad but chose to do so at their own will and expense.
“We have specialists to handle the cases the Members of parliament that went abroad. We are not shamed about our hospitals; we have all requirements for specialised treatment of the MPs that left”, she claimed.
Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi is in USA while Zaake travelled to India for further treatment. The two and several other civilians were victims of the Arua By-election fracas involving torture, allegedly inflicted by military officers.
The legislators are charged with treason with Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi released on bail while Zaake on police bond.