Security tightened at Parliament after ‘Piglets scandal’

Parliament has tightened security and issued new guidelines, following last week’s fury over two piglets that were smuggled into Parliament.

Unlike before, anyone driving into parliament premises and all their passengers are now required to get out of their vehicles at Parliament’s main gate for thorough security checks before accessing the House’s premises, according to the new security guidelines issued on Thursday.

Parliament’s Public Relations Manager, Ms Helen Kawesa on Monday told Daily Monitor Online that the number of security officers at the House has also been increased and that the gate leading to the president’s office closed for security reasons.

“The president’s office can now be accessed through parliament’s main gate. The number of vehicles and people at the main gate has also increased because it is the only access point into the premises of parliament,” said Ms Kawesa.

On June 17, two youth- Mr Robert Mayanja and Mr Norman Tumuhimbise- beat security and smuggled two piglets painted yellow to parliament.
The youth were demonstrating their resentment over what they called “rampant corruption” exhibited in Parliament and the worrying youth unemployment even as the Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi assured Ugandans that their security was guaranteed in the wake of terrorism attacks in neighbouring Kenya.

On Friday last week, the duo was charged with three counts- interrupting Parliament activities, criminal trespass and conspiracy to sneak piglets into Parliament-before City Hall court and remanded to Luzira prison. They will re-appear before court on July 4 for their bail application.

The Monitor

UM– USEKE.RW