KANPALA – Police have on Friday, July 24 arrested ‘Bizonto’ comedy group on allegations of publishing a sectarian video, dividing Ugandans on tribal basis.
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Spokesperson Charles Twiine said the suspects were identified by thier real names as the Ssabakaki Simon Peter
alia Akozonto akato, Ssewanja Julius alia Ssabazonto, Mbabali Merceli alias Giant zonto and Gold Kimatono.
Jjaja zonto.
“Arrested also, is Kamya Saul Muro a. k. a Baryanengwe whose video is so threatening and savagely fierce,” he said in a statement.
Twiine explained that the 5 were arrested following a recording of selected videos that were uploaded and later shared on various social media platforms, unfortunately with the potential of causing hatred and unnecessary apprehension.
“Police also noted that some of the videos had threats of attack on government, and individuals upon which we timely came in to avert the situation,” reads an excerpt.
Whereas Uganda Police Force is cognisant, and indeed respect freedom of speech, Twiine noted that the public should take note that such rights are not absolute especially when it is likely to lead to, OR prove imminent unlawful acts.
“We wish to warn individuals or groups of people, that Uganda Police Force in due process of exercising our mandate, shall not hesitate to take action against errant characters who disguise in the entertainment industry to cause grave threats to the security and stability of the country,” Twiine warned.
He added that, “We strongly discourage such criminal acts and we call upon the general public to fathom our actions, and join us in the fight against such acts which may bleed to vicious crimes.”
Social media has been awash by the arrest of the comedians with majority condemning the arrest claiming the suspects are only comedians.
Renowned journalist Daniel Lutaaya posted on his Twitter page that he had watched the comedian’s video however he didn’t the alleged tribalism.
“They state who our leaders are and ask us to pray for them. It can not be Bizonto’s fault that all the leaders they stated are from one region, they didnt appoint them,” he noted.
“That problematic video by Radio Simba’s Bizonto is actually very funny. But paranoid people lose a sense of humour,” said Patrick Kanyomozi.
