The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) has apologized to the National Security Service (NSS) following accusations by First Deputy Speaker Nathaniel Pierino Oyet regarding a travel restriction.
On Wednesday, Oyet said he was prevented from leaving the country at the Juba International Airport by the NSS, acting on the instructions of Gen Akol Koor Kuc, the Director General of the Internal Security Bureau.
During the commemoration of the International Day of Access to Information on Thursday in Juba, the Chairperson of the Specialized Committee on Information, Oliver Benjamin Mori, clarified that Oyet had not followed proper procedures by signing his own leave form. Mori stated that parliament had resolved to apologize to NSS for the false accusations.
“We have all resolved that we extend our apology to the National Security Service and especially to Gen Akol Koor, who was not involved in this matter. We accept our mistake,” Mori said.
In response to Oyet’s statement, the NSS Internal Bureau explained that the First Deputy Speaker was blocked from traveling abroad due to “self-permitted leave”. NSS spokesperson and Director of Public Relations David John Kumuri, noted that Oyet had presented a document signed by himself in his capacity as the First Deputy Speaker, which NSS deemed as a unilateral leave and an insubordination.
Mori further mentioned that the leave request form has now been duly signed by Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba, granting Oyet the authorization to travel. Oyet has since traveled to Kampala to visit his family.
TLNA on July 3, 2024, amended the law governing NSS in ways, many believe, could further entrench the agency’s longstanding abuses.
Parliament passed amendments to the 2014 National Security Service Act after a four-hour debate by a vote of 274-114 that will allow the agency to continue arresting or detaining people without a warrant.