The two agents Julius Mayega and Richard Katabira, residents of Kiwanula and Mabuye villages in Kamira Sub County are reported to be supporters of MP elect Brenda Nabukenya. They were picked from their homes today and are currently detained at Luweero Central Police station.
Police in Luweero is holding two opposition campaign agents for assaulting a National Resistance Movement mobilizer during the just concluded by-elections.
The two agents Julius Mayega and Richard Katabira, residents of Kiwanula and Mabuye villages in Kamira Sub County are reported to be supporters of MP elect Brenda Nabukenya. They were picked from their homes today and are currently detained at Luweero Central Police station.
The Police Spokesperson for Savannah Region Lameck Kigozi explains that the agents and other supporters still at large allegedly abducted, robbed and beat up NRM mobilizer Steven Ssentumbwe, two weeks ago after an opposition rally in Kamira Sub County.
Kigozi says the complaint was lodged at the time of the attack but police sought to pursue Ssentumbwe’s tormentors after the polls. He adds that police will leave no stone unturned in dealing with all persons who were involved in violence during campaigns and on polling day.
// Cue in(English)”These People….
Cue out;…pursue them”//
//Cue in(Luganda)"Era Kati .....
Cue out:...mukiseera ekyo"//
Kigozi says the police is still recording statements from suspects and eyewitness in order to determine a befitting charge for the defendants. He however says the complaints against them were related to malicious damage, abduction, assault and simple robbery.
Democratic Party chairman for Luweero district Erasto Kibirango has already recorded a statement with police in which he admitted that the victim was confronted by opposition supporters who found him defacing Brenda Nabukenya’s posters contrary to electoral laws.
Bwanika Bbale the FDC chairperson for Luweero district suspects that the arrests are politically motivated. He adds that police could be reacting to a letter in which President Museveni accused it of doing nothing to stop vote rigging in the hotly contested race.
On poling day May 22, 2014,Police arrested eight opposition supporters and charged them with cases of defacing posters of NRM candidate, Rebecca Nalwanga, impersonation and criminal trespass.
They included Ingrid Turinawe, the chairperson of the FDC women league, Job Walulya, Henry Muwonge, Fred Kabanda, Umar Muhamadi, Samuel Mugwanya, Ibrahim Ssentongo and Emmanuel Kirabira. They are all out on police bond.
