Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro, the Deputy Spokesperson of the National Unity Platform (NUP), has been remanded to Luzira prison on charges he vehemently denies, calling his incarceration “political persecution” allegedly facilitated by a fellow opposition politician and electoral rival, Michael Kabaziguruka.
Speaking to journalists from his holding cell at Kawempe Magistrate’s Court, Mufumbiro, who is vying for the Nakawa East Member of Parliament seat, accused Kabaziguruka of being a “security operative” and orchestrating his arrest.
“Last night, they were convincing me to stop supporting Bobi Wine. And I told them that is out of my order,” Mufumbiro stated. “I also want to tell the country that my arrest was facilitated by Kabaziguruka Michael, the person I am contesting against. He works for security. He is a security operative, and he is aware of whatever is happening to me.”
Mufumbiro has been remanded alongside Saudah Madaada, a popular NUP member, and seven others, including Eddie Mutwe, Achileo Kivumbi, and Tasi Calvin (Bobi Giant). The group faces charges of unlawful drilling, conspiracy to commit a felony, and other related offences.
Grade One Magistrate Damalie Agumaasiimwe remanded Mufumbiro and his co-accused to Luzira prison until September 29th, when they can apply for bail.
The accusations against Kabaziguruka, a member of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and also an aspirant for the Nakawa East parliamentary seat, intensify the political rivalry in the constituency.
In 2016, Kabaziguruka, then under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), successfully contested and won the Nakawa Division parliamentary seat, defeating the then Attorney General Fred Ruhindi.
The National Unity Platform has strongly condemned the arrests and subsequent remand of its members. In a statement, NUP described the actions as a “gross rights violation.”
“We strongly condemn the gross rights violations by the criminal regime and the hostile manner in which our comrades are brutally roughed up and unjustly detained,” the NUP statement read.
“The blatant misuse of the courts of law to silence the dissent of course projects a regime thriving on borrowed time. Very soon it is the oppressed Ugandans that will have the final laugh.”
The allegations of political persecution and the involvement of a rival opposition figure in Mufumbiro’s arrest are likely to stir further debate and tension within Uganda’s political landscape, particularly as general elections draw closer.
