Authorities have warned that they will not take lightly any demonstration in connection with the re-arrest of Makindye West legislator, Allan Ssewanyana.
The Uganda police have warned that they will not take lightly any forms of a demonstration connected to the re-arrest of the Makindye West legislator, Allan Ssewanyana.
Ssewanyana was jointly arrested together with the Kawempe North MP Muhammad Ssegirinya on September 7th 2021 and taken to Masaka Magistrates Court on charges of murder and terrorism arising from the recent vicious killings in Masaka.
The two were remanded to Kigo government prison.
On September 20, the legislators were granted bail by the High Court Magistrate Justice Victoria Nakintu Katamba on the presumption that they were still innocent unless proven to be guilty.
As part of the conditions, however, the Judge directed the legislators to pay a 20 million Shillings cash bail and ordered their sureties to also execute a bond form of 100 million Shillings not cash.
Also, the two were instructed to surrender their passports to the International Crimes Division of the High Court where they should be reporting twice every month and barred from participating in any rhetoric that may cause public excitement.
Upon fulfilling the conditions of paying the cash to the bank and surrendering their passports, Ssewanyana was released and Ssegirinya was retained due to the absence of his surety, Hon Francis Zaake who is currently out of the country.
A few minutes, however, Ssewanyana was abducted and whisked away in a drone by security officials who were donning on casual wear.
With fears some individuals are planning to strike demanding his release, the police have warned that they are monitoring closely and any form of the demonstration will not be taken lightly.
In a statement dated September 27, Fred Enanga the police spokesperson, however, confirmed that Ssewanyana was re-arrested by the police task teams to have him record a statement on all charges on him.
“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.”
“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. The task team found it important that they turn over every allegation against him and have recorded his statement accordingly,” Enanga revealed.
He said all criminal elements planning to incite violence, over a lawful procedure, are simply undermining the prevailing rule of law in the country.
Enanga noted that the idea is 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.
“Although we respect the rights of individuals and groups, however, where they abuse such rights and privileges, the law will be enforced”.
”As we continue to monitor the situation, we are prepared to act immediately to enforce rule of law, to safeguard the lives and property of all citizens and visitors in the country. Our task teams are alert and on standby for any act of violence,” he added.
