Ugandan parliamentarians will get enhanced security, including sharpshooters and armoured escort vehicles, after President Yoweri Museveni approved the move following the shooting of a ruling party member last month.
Critics have however condemned the move, labelling it wasteful. They argue that it does nothing to address security concerns of normal citizens who fear rampant crime in the East African country marked by unsolved murders, waves of kidnappings for ransom, burglaries and robberies.
Arua Municipality MP Ibrahim Abiriga was shot dead on 8 June near his home by unknown men riding on motorbikes.
That killing prompted parliamentarians to demand better security.
In a letter to the finance minister, Museveni said the decision to boost security was taken after a meeting with the MPs, in which incidents of “criminality and terrorism” were discussed.
“Members of parliament … have been singled out for intimidation and possibly attack. I have, therefore, decided to protect the members of parliament … since they are being singled out,” he said.
Museveni said lawmakers would now be accompanied by military sharp-shooters and ordered the finance ministry to purchase armoured pick-up trucks to use as escort vehicles.
