Police in Mbale have arrested veteran Journalist Emma Watundu, a Lumasaaba local languageNews Anchor at 103.2 Fm Open Gate Radio in Mbale on allegations of holding unlawful assembly and breach of COVID-19 guidelines.
Police operations commanded by Fred Ahimbisibwe, the Mbale District Police Commander arrested Watundu, the Inzu ya Masaaba State Minister Incharge of Mutoto Development at today at Mutoto cultural center where sections of Bamasaaba had organized to launch their Annual Circumcision Ceremony locally termed as #Imbalu.
Its well understood that ministry of health had recently suspended the August 2020 Imbalu celebrations after angry Gisu youth attacked and lynched police officers who were enforcing COVID-19 guidelines.
In a bid to contain the spread of the infectious disease, health ministry suspended the ceremony because it was not preserving the set guidelines on social distancing among others.
In spite of the suspensions, defiant Bamasaaba had today organized at the Mutoto cultural center to launch the ceremony but their launch was net with heavy police deployments.
By press time, Minister Watundu was being detained at Mbale Central Police Station as police carries out thorough investigations.
