UPDF through Brig Byekwaso denies knocking Bobi Wine’s private bodyguard says Frank fell off a speeding vehicle.
In a statement released Sunday evening, the Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) refuted claims that a military car ran over Frank, Bobi Wine’s private bodyguard.
Francis Senteza Kalibala commonly known as Frank was reportedly knocked by a military vehicle as Bobi Wine’s convoy drove Ghetto TV journalist Ashraf Kasirye from Masaka to Kampala for further medical attention after he was injured as police tried to disperse NUP supporters in Masaka.
Among others, many journalists have also left nursing wounds including NTV reporter Ali Mivuli who was hit by a teargas canister fired by Police while NBS TV’s senior Reporter, Daniel Lutaaya also sustained injuries and his now being admitted at Masaka regional referral hospital after the police shot at a Boda Boda he was riding on.
In a report, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine the National Unity Platform party presidential candidate said that his bodyguard, Frank was run over by a military police patrol truck Number H4DF 2382 which left him injured and died moments after reaching Rubaga hospital.
“I regret to announce the death of our security team member Mr Francis Senteza Kalibala also known as Frank. Francis was run over by a military police patrol truck Number H4DF 2382 which had blocked us in Busega as we were taking comrade Kasirye Ashraf for emergency medical attention in Rubaga hospital. Francis passed away a few minutes ago at Rubaga hospital. May your life never perish in vain brother,” Bobi Wine said in a statement on his social media platforms.
However, hours later the UPDF released a statement clarifying that the deceased was not knocked by a Military Police Vehicle as purported, but rather fell off a speeding Car Reg No UBF 850z as he tried to jump to but fell off in the process.
“UPDF would like to clarify that the late Senteza Frank, a NUP candidate close protection person was not knocked by a Military Police Vehicle as purported, but rather fell off a speeding Car Reg No UBF 850z (Drone) he tried to jump to but fell off,” Brig Byekwaso tweeted Sunday evening.
On the same day, the police also released a statement giving an insight into how the scenes rose.
The police spokesperson Fred Enanga said that the confrontations rose after Bobi Wine and his supporters defied route at Kyabakuza check point. He said that in the process a tear gas canister was used to quell the violence and in the process, journalists were injured.
“This morning our task team in Greater Masaka had violent confrontations with the NUP candidate and his supporters at a check point in Kyabakuza after they defied the route plan agreed upon to Kyotera District,” Fred Enanga said.
“Tear gas was used to quell the violence and journalists were regrettably caught up during the process of dispersing the violent group. Notably among them was a Ghetto TV crew member identified as Ashraf Kasirye, who sustained blunt force injuries above the left eye allegedly from a canister. The victim was rushed to Masaka Referral Hospital for medical attention. He remains stable but in serious critical condition and on transfer to Kampala for better management.”
Enanga however, said that the media crimes department has already taken interest in the matter and opened a case file to investigate the circumstances.
“We do appreciate the critical role journalists while covering the campaigns and pledge better protection cover so as to remain safe while documenting violent confrontations,” Enanga noted.
“We call upon anyone with digital evidence regarding the disturbing incident to share it with our task team of investigators from CID headquarters.”
