Gen. Mugisha Muntu and Gen. Henry Tumukunde both Presidential flag bearers for Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and A Renewed Uganda respectively have suspended their ongoing campaigns for the 2021 presidential elections, and called for for the immediate release of colleagues currently detained under police custody.
Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine of National Unity Platform and Patrick Oboi Amuriat aka POA of the Forum for Democratic Change were arrested on Wednesday amid chaotic scenes in Luuka and Gulu Districts respectively.
“We have decided to pause our presidential campaign activities until our colleagues, Bobi Wine andPatrick Amuriat are released and their freedom to campaign guaranteed. We call upon government to recognize that this isn’t business as usual,” Gen. Muntu tweeted after riots hit Kampala and other cities following the morning arrests.
General Henry Tumukunde also tweeted condemning the brutal arrest of NUP candidate Bobi Wine and said his movement “A Renewed Uganda” were since suspending campaigns with immediate effect.
In solidarity with other leaders & parties to the election, we are suspending all campaign activity until candidates @PatrickAmuriat & @HEBobiwine are released & able to continue with their campaigns. A Tweet from Tumukunde’s official twitter handle stated.
Nobert Mao, DP’s presidential candidate also issued a statement condemning the arrest of Kyagulanyi saying that all democracy seeking forces should cooperate in highlighting and combating police brutality.
“I have instructed the DP National Legal Advisor Counsel Luyimbazi Nalukoola to take legal steps to ensure that the NUP Presidential Candidate Robert Kyagulanyi who is in detention is released from custody immediately,” reads Mao’s statement in part.
Mao adds that he has equally asked his party lawyer to take legal steps against musician Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool who he accuses of flouting Covid-19 guidelines with impunity through holding processions of ruling National Resistance Movement –NRM party supporters while police helplessly look on despite disrupting gatherings of opposition candidates under the pretext of enforcing Covid-19 rules.
Kyagulanyi arrest has sparked off protests in different parts of country where hundreds took to the streets demanding for his release.
These lit tyres in the middle of roads around Kisekka Market, Nabugabo Lane, Nasser Road, Nkrumah, City Square, Bombo Road and Kampala Road.
The act prompted the regular police backed by anti-riot police, Military and Local Defence Units- LDUs to fire teargas and live bullets to disperse the protesters.
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