At least 26
people have been remanded to Masaka Government Prison for their alleged
involvement in electoral violence. The suspects mainly supporters of the
opposition National Unity Platform- NUP and Democratic Party were arrested
during the presidential and parliamentary election on Thursday last week in a
joint operation by the police and army.
They include among others Alex Ssekamaanya, 28, Raymond
Ntumwa, 25, Muhammad Musanje, 25, Joseph Lubega, 32, AbduKarim Musoke, 29,
Joseph Mayanja, 24, Bernard Ssegawa, 27, and Derrick Akampurira, 23.
Others are Fahad Bulenya, Dan Kasibante, Frank Sseruwoza Ronald Muwonge, Isaac
Ssematimba and others.
Some of the suspects were traveling in a Toyota Hiace
Drone Reg. number UAH 283J, which was intercepted by security in Kyotera town
council while others were arrested from Kabira, Nkenge and other parts of
Kyotera district. The suspects appeared this morning before Geoffrey Luwaga,
the Kasaali Grade II Magistrate Court on charges of election violence and
possession of army/military boots and solido wires that are said to have been
used in their vicious operations.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges
brought against them. They also told the court that the military boots were planted
by police officers to implicate them.In order not to interfere with today’s elections, Luwaga remanded
the suspects to Masaka prisons until tomorrow when they will appear for their
bail application hearing.
Patrick Kintu Kisekulo, the incumbent Kyotera LC 5
chairperson, who is seeking re-election, says the police are used to witch-hunt
his supporters, a claim the area District Police Commander, Judith Akello has dismissed as baseless. Robert Muyimbwa, the Kyotera DP spokesperson, says they will
do whatever it takes to ensure that he
suspects get bail and justice at the same time.
//Cue in: “Engeli gyebakwatibwa mumbeera…………….
Cue out:…………………………okufuna abakozi befujjo.”//
John Paul Mpalanyi, the Kyotera County MP-elect, says they
are ready to provide legal support to all their jailed supporters.
