Bukomansimbi police are holding a National Unity Platform-NUP party supporter accused of abusing President Yoweri Museveni at a public rally.
Abdul Ssentamu, who defected to Uganda’s youngest political party recently from the ruling National Resistance Movement-NRM was picked up on Friday.
He was arrested on the instructions of Bukomansimbi District Police Commander, Sowedi Manisuri, shortly after addressing a joint campaign rally by NUP candidates at Kawoko playground in Butenga sub-county.
During the rally, Ssentamu declared his defection to NUP and took off time to campaign against Youth and Children Affairs State Minister, Florence Nakiwala Kiyingi, who is also the NRM candidate for Bukomansimbi Woman parliamentary seat, whom she previously mobilized for in Kitanda Sub County.
Some of the residents who attended the rally, said the suspect came along with other people who relinquished their support for NRM, arguing that the party is full of unprincipled politicians who ought not to be trusted with leadership anymore.
According to the residents, the suspect criticized President Museveni for being a selfish leader who has hang onto state power against the will of the majority of the people who contributed to the NRA struggle.
Manisuri says the suspect’s statements were abusive to the person of the President, which prompted Police to arrest him for prosecution. “He abused the President in his speech and we are gathering evidence that will enable us successfully prosecute him,” Manisuri says.
Manisuri is however not specific on the charges they have preferred against the suspect, saying they are preparing the file and sent it to the State Attorney for sanctioning.
Veronica Nanyondo, the Bukomansimbi District Woman MP has dismissed the arrest as political persecution, instigated by their NRM rivals who are uncomfortable by the defections.
She faults the DPC for accepting to be used to harass opposition supporters, saying they have been pushing for the suspect’s release from custody on bond since Friday in vain.
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