KAMPALA – KAMPALA – Relatives and friends of Yusuf Kawooya, who was brutally arrested and tortured near Christ the King Church in Kampala on Thursday, have demanded his release.
On Saturday, the army’s disciplinary court in Mbuya led by Colonel Tom Kabuye charged the men who brutally arrested Kawooya with abusing the army’s standard operating law procedures while executing arrest. They were detained at Makindye Military Barracks.
However, amidst all this, Kawooya’s whereabouts are unknown and his family has demanded his immediate release or to be produced in court if he is guilty of any charges
Sharifa Nakitende, Kawooya’s sister, on Sunday said they fear for his life since he opposes the ruling party. Kawooya is a member of the Democratic Party.
“This arrest is political because my brother doesn’t support the NRM party.
” We know he was arrested and tortured because of his political belief,” Ms Nakitende said, adding that they have filed a case of a missing person at Kampala Central Police Station.
DP spokesperson Kenneth Kakande said: “We are yet to understand where he is being detained because police have denied the men who arrested him. We are using our sources but all signs show he is being incarcerated by safe houses owned by either ISO or CMI.”
When contacted, the deputy army spokesperson, Lt Col Deo Akiki, could not confirm Kawooya’s whereabouts. Patrick Onyango, the deputy police spokesperson, said UPDF should be able to tell where they are holding Kawooya and for what charges.
Kawooya’s tormentors have been identified as Daniel Senkungu, Moses Rwamwenge and Omara. Others are only identified as Nickson and Simon all former operatives attached to Presidential Protection Unit (PPU).
Information Technology and Communications minister Frank Tumwebaze has since lauded the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) for the arrest of soldiers accused of brutally arresting Kawooya.
“I thank the leadership of UPDF for tracing and bringing to book those characters. I insist those fellows must be enemy-collaborators plotting within to tarnish the name of NRM and give credence to anti-government propaganda. Let’s be aware and expose enemy agents,” he tweeted on Saturday.
