KAMPALA, UGANDA: Makindye West MP, Hon. Allan Ssewanyana has been rearrested by armed security operatives shortly after being granted bail by the International Criminal Divisions Court.
Ssewanyana was arrested by armed soldiers clad in black military uniform just outside the gate of Kigo prison where he had been jailed with his co (Ssegirinya Muhammad) on terrorism charges and murder connected to Masaka killings.
The men, moving in a sliver “drone,” pulled up in front of the prison gate and pounced on the MP just seconds after he stepped out. They then started chasing after the members of the public and news reporters that were waiting outside for the MP.
According to the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Spokesperson Brig Flavia Byekwaso, the operation was enforced by joint security forces on allegations of new charges against the Opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) legislators.
“There are other charges that he needs to answer and it is not true he has been kidnaped. No one can do that to an MP. The best we do is rearrest. He has been taken to Kireka and he is safe. We would like to assure the public that there is no need for alarm,” Brig Byekwaso said on Thursday evening.
Lawyers of the two MPs said as they waited to be handed the legislators at the prison gates, a grey Nissan van, commonly known as a drone, approached them before unidentified gun-wielding men jumped out and forced the MP into their vehicle on gunpoint.
Politicians speak out
The incident was loudly condemned across the political opposition.
Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Dr Kizza Besigye condemned the rearrest which he described as an outrageous abuse of rights and the violation of the rule of law with impunity.
“Having completed all the requirements to be released on bail from Kigo Prison, Hon Allan Ssewanyana emerged from the prison gates this evening; was promptly grabbed by armed men in black uniforms; thrown in a van (commonly called DRONE) and taken to, yet unknown, destination! This outrageous abuse of rights and the violation of the rule of law, with impunity, calls on every Ugandan to protest and resist this NRM/M7 Junta rule. Today it’s Allan; tomorrow, it’ll be you!” Besigye tweeted.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) party president, Mr. Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine said MP Ssewanyana is just one of the many Ugandans who have been ‘abducted’ using the infamous drone and detained in unknown places.
“Last night, Hon. Allan Ssewanyana a Member of Parliament (NUP) was abducted outside Kigo prison by gun-wielding men after being granted bail by court. Driven to unknown place in the infamous ‘drone’ car! How thousands of our people have been abducted under the cover of the dark! A few weeks ago, Dictator Museveni came out to posture about human rights! We told him it was just a matter of time, he would be exposed. In no time, his men were at it again- torturing, abducting and murdering people. All Ugandans have an urgent duty to bring this to an end,” Bobi Wine tweeted Friday morning.
“Horrible!!!..Hon. Allan Ssewanyana has been kidnapped at gunpoint at the entrance of Kigo Prison by gun-toting operatives shortly after his release by Prisons authorities. He has been whisked away in a drone to an unknown destination, rendering the court order nugatory,” said Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago.
Meanwhile, Hon Ssegirinya remained in prison as one of his sureties, Francis Zaake who doubles as Mityana Municipality lawmaker is out of the country.
Last week, the two opposition legislators were remanded on three counts of murder and attempted murder in relation to the machete attacks in greater Masaka.
President Museveni blamed the murders on opposition politicians, and later the police in Masaka summoned Ssewanyana and Ssegirinya for questioning.
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