Uganda MPs Hospitalised
Five Ugandan members of parliament have been hospitalised after inhaling tear gas.
The MPs, who are from the Lango sub-region, were taking part in a consultative meeting regarding the presidential age limit.
Ugandan parliament recently introduced a bill removing the current presidential age limit of 75, which would allow President Yoweri Museveni to stand for re-election for a sixth time.
Museveni has been president since 1986.
The consultative meeting was called by MP Joy Ongom in Lira. Once the four other MPs joined her onstage, police fired live ammunition and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
The MPs fainted after inhaling tear gas, and were taken to Lira Medical Centre for treatment.
They are in a stable condition. One MP, Sylvia Akello, remains unconscious, and it is alleged that police kicked her several times.
The MPs were wearing red ribbons, which have been worn by politicians opposed to the removal of the age limit.
Last week, Ugandan police banned any illegal demonstrations regarding the presidential age limit. Opposition demonstrations are routinely denied permission, meaning that any rally could be considered illegal.
Image: Sylvia Akello in hospital [online image] (2017) sourced on 25 October 2017 from https://ugandaradionetwork.com/a/image.php?f=115741&m=1&w=350
