By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA:
As the public continue questioning, demanding the whereabouts and release of the Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana who was kidnapped by security agencies last week on Thursday, the Uganda Police Force has for the first time spoken out on the legislator’s arrest.
The police has admitted that Ssewanyana is in the hands of the security and clarified on his re-arrest.
According to police spokesperson CP Fred Enanga, the MP was rearrested on fresh charges of treason and incitement of violence.
“We want to inform the public that the Hon. MP was arrested on fresh charges of treason and incitement to violence, within the provisions of the law,” Enanga said.
On Thursday last week, MP Ssewanyana was re-arrested by security agencies who were in a Drone car immediately after he had been granted bail by the High Court in Masaka. He was re-arrested outside the Kigo prison perimeter walls and has since been nowhere to be accessed by his personal lawyers, doctors and family.
Sections of the public including the legislators party NUP have ardently condemned the act, questioned about the re-arrest and tasked security to produce Ssewanyana to court.
But the police mouthpiece explained that the task team found it important that they turn over every allegation against Ssewanyana and have recorded his statement accordingly.
Enanga did not disclose the detention where Ssewanyana is currently being held.
He intimidated that police is aware of the groups including Boda Boda cyclists, members of the opposition and the youth planning to hold demonstrations against the MP’s re-arrest. He warned that police is well equipped to deal with anyone who attempts to participate in the protests.
“We wish to inform the public that we are closely monitoring plans by selected criminal elements who include; bodaboda and youth gangs instigated by politicians, to hold illegal protests and unlawful demonstrations, within Kampala, and Masaka, over the re-arrest of Hon. Allan Ssewanyana.” He threatened.
Enanga says inciting violence is unacceptable and undermines the prevailing rule of law in the country.
“This is wholly unacceptable, because organisers of such illegal protests, always have no potential of guarding against unlawful behaviours of looting, malicious damage and disruption of people’s lives and businesses,” he said.
He expressed security preparedness to enforce rule of law, safeguard the lives of people and property of all citizens and visitors in the country.
“Our task teams are alert and on standby for any action of violence.” CP Enanga Fred
