Police in Kampala have stormed Busoga region Television BABA TV building and arrested one of its staff and popular government critique on political and socioeconomic affairs, Bassajja Mivule on the yet to be established accounts.
According to the TV management, men dressed in plain layers earlier this morning arrested BasajjaMivule after his morning #Fumintiriza show at the station offices but no reason of his arrest was produced.
Corridors however say Mivule could have been arrested regarding his previous utterances on the arrests of singer Gerald Kiwewa and the Bizonto group comedians in which he attacked government for being sectarian.
On Friday last week police arrested reknown Bizonto Comedians at Radio Simba in Kampala on allegations of promoting sectarianism through thier premiered video in which they listed names of the public figures occupying prominent government, security and other gov’t agencies offices. These included among others the President, his son Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, CDF Gen David Muhoozi, URA Boss John Musinguzi Rujoki, BoU Governor Emmanuel T Mutebile, all of whom come from one Western Uganda region .
Although the Bizonto argued they’re educating students who are stuck in the holiday because of the ongoing COVID-19 school closures on prominent persons occupying different positions in the country, police said the video was produced on tribal grounds.
A day before Bizonto’s arrest also singer Gerald Kiwewa was arrested for his produced Nantaba which seemingly was attacking some individuals in the ruling government.
Police said the former state minister for ICT also Kayunga district Woman MP Hon Idah Nantaba had lodged a complaint at CID Kibuli no GEF 442/2020 against Kiwewa because the song defames her personality and the musician was intending to make people hate her something she could not tolerate.
“Nantaba leave our child Zaake because they beat him saying let canes be lit,” Kiwewa’s Luganda lyrics flow.
Sources have it that Nantaba song insinuates a perceived relationship between the two legislators, Nantaba and Francis Zaake – the cause for the persistent brutality and police beatings.
However, in a Televised interview, Hon Nantaba refuted claims that she had filed a complaint at CID Kibuli.
Mivule like other sections of the public called the arrests as governments move to show its true tribal colours by arresting those who try to speak out against it.
“The act of arresting Bizonto is uncalled for. It means the gov’t is against art or Music Dance and Drama which is a key factor in the ministry of education. Comedians act according to what is happening within the society. Drama and music is the only way we commoners can express our views to the government,” Mivule retaliated today in his show.
By press time, the charges and detention place and inwhich BasajjaMivule is detained had not been established.
The arrests of governnent critiques by police, the army and other security personnel have instilled a state of acute nervous in the hearts of Ugandans especially at the time when the country is preparing for the parliamentary and presidential elections.
Sections of the opposition politicians have hitherto expressed concerns on continued arrests and police brutality melted on individuals opposed to the ruling gov’t. They say it limits their rightful freedoms to expression and speech.