Activists for Change Face Treason Charges

About 15 Activists for Change members face treason charges following the launch of the second phase of walk to work campaign on Monday. Police say that it has evidence linking some of the A4C members to treason after they held a final touch meeting on Sunday.

Inspector General of Police, Major General Kale Kayihura says he has audio evidence incriminating, Ingrid Turinawe, one of the leaders in the walk to work protests. He says that on September 23rd, Turinawe hosted a group of youths who they called ‘commanders’ from several areas around Kampala at their offices along Katonga Road in Kampala.

Some of those arrested on Sunday and are still in police custody at Jinja road include Hassan Kirunda, Shafik Sebandeka, Robert Mayanja, Ziyadi Muteesa and Mathew Walakira. Others are Jenny Lubega, Faridah Nakabugo, Seguya Tony, Alika Walter, Wesoti Alex and Rajab Kaya. The IGP is already consulting with the director of public prosecutions to prefer treason charges against them.

Kayihura says that Turinawe commanded a group from Kiseka Market for the violence in previous incidents and encouraged them to stop vehicles using whatever strategy they could. Kayihura says such activities tantamount to treason.

//Cue in: on 23rd of September…..

Cue out:….burning the cars.//

Kayihura is concerned that the walk to work protests are geared towards failing the ruling government. He says that government has insisted that the A4C activities are not noble as they claim saying their main objective to overthrow government. The IGP alleges that A4C want to cause disciplined forces to mutiny by causing them to turn against each other. Kayihura also warned that those who associate with the A4C will be deemed to be proponents of the plot.

But Ingrid Turinawe is not surprised by the allegations leveled against her. She told URN that the claims by police are just pure lies aimed at demonizing the campaign against high commodity prices.

Turinawe says she is ready to be arrested by police, stating that she is still in town and not hiding. Her arrest, she says, will still not solve problems encountered by the citizens as a result of high inflation. Turinawe says she is committed to the fight against high commodity prices no matter what comes her way.

//Cue in: if I am a…….

Cue out: consequences.//

In April this year, the A4C group led by Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga started demonstrations against high commodity prices especially on food and fuel. After several weeks of street battles with the police the group halted the exercise. They have now re-launched the walk to work campaign against high commodity prices and corruption. But just like in April, the government has promised to quash all their activities.