Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /usr/www/users/urnnet/a/story.php on line 43 FDC Presidential Candidate Amuriat Oboi Released from Custody in Gulu :: Uganda Radionetwork
Trouble for Amuriat started when his entourage from Kitgum District dodged security to address a rally in neighbouring Omoro District where he was instead expected on Thursday. Earlier, he addressed a rally in Kitgum on a day he was expected to be in Lamwo.
Forum for Democratic Change -FDC presidential candidate Patrick
Oboi Amuriat has been released from police custody.
Police said that Amuriat is being investigated for aiding a negligent act likely to spread an infectious disease under Section 17 of the Penal Code Act. This followed his arrest on Wednesday from Awere Playground in West Division, Gulu where
he was expected to address his supporters as part of his campaign trail.
Trouble
for Amuriat
started when his entourage from Kitgum District dodged security to
address a
rally in neighbouring Omoro District where he was instead expected on
Thursday. Earlier, he addressed a rally in Kitgum on a day he was
expected to be in Lamwo.
Aswa River Region Police Spokesman, Patrick Jimmy
Okema told URN during an interview on Thursday that Amuriat and his agents
instead organized a procession and refused to follow the agreed routes to the
venue.
Okema
explained that candidate addressed a rally at
Celereno Market despite police warnings to stop and proceeded to the
main
venue. Okema adds that Amuriat flouted the standard operating procedures
and addressed another crowd near Gulu Main market to address people.
Speaking to URN during an interview at Vision Hotel this
morning, Amuriat accused police of deliberately arresting him to block him from
addressing his supporters, saying it is a partisan institution serving the interests of the ruling
National Resistance Movement – NRM government.
//Cue in; “They are working…
Cue out…our movement.”//
Amuriat explained that he declined to record a statement at the
police following his arrest on the instruction of the Regional Police Commander
Ezekiel Emitu saying it was his right not to because he had no offence.
//Cue in; “I was asked…
Cue out …same harassment.”//
At the launch of his
campaign after being nominated by the Electoral Commission, Amuriat vowed to
engage in defiance against established guidelines. However, police cautioned all
political actors to respect and observe the set guidelines and SOPs on COVID-19
from both the Ministry of Health and Electoral Commission – EC to avoid conflicting
with the law.
Ochola's journalism career begun from Radio King 90.2 FM in Gulu around 2009, and Radio Rupiny 95.7 Fm under Vision Group in 2012. He also reported for Mighty Fire 91.5 Fm, Kitgum in 2015 before joining Wizarts Foundation in 2017.
He has been reporting for Uganda Radio Network (URN) since 2017 before being posted as Bureau Chief Kitgum, and latr Gulu between 2018 - 2021. Currently, he reports from Parliament.
