By Sekaggya Seka Moses
Kyeyune Pafuladiito, the Chairman of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in Mubende district, will spend the Easter holidays in jail after being arrested by the Special Forces Command (SFC) for allegedly interfering with President Yoweri Museveni’s convoy while he was visiting the area.
The arrest occurred when President Museveni visited Mubende district to promote government projects and officially opened the Mubende central speech.
While giving president Museveni giving his speech, all roads were closed, and only authorized vehicles were allowed to pass.
Other cars were diverted to alternative routes, and Pafuladiito’s car was among those diverted. He obeyed the orders and took the alternative route.
The situation escalated when Councillor Damasen attempted to take photos and was beaten and thrown into a patrol car. Pafuladiito was also beaten and arrested
However, Pafuladiito was later arrested on the Shell Kakumiro road in Mubende. The situation escalated when Councillor Damasen attempted to take photos and both were beaten and thrown into a patrol car.
Upon reaching the police station, a case was opened against him for allegedly interfering with the President’s convoy.
Pafuladiito questioned the logic behind the charges, given that the President was at the market giving a speech at the time, and his car was not the only one on the road.
Pafuladiito’s car, which is branded with a photo of him and Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, the leader of NUP, seemed to have raised eyebrows among security personnel.
The circumstances surrounding the arrest sparked controversy, with NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu condemning the action as an example of a “criminal regime seized with so much fear.”
In a Facebook post, Kyagulanyi Ssentamu wrote, “For simply driving a car branded with the National Unity Platform colors in Mubende on the day dictator Museveni was in the district, our comrades Kyeyune Pafuladito and Kakooza Damasen were violently removed from their car by SFC soldiers yesterday, arrested and detained at Mubende police up to now!
A criminal regime seized with so much fear. Stay strong comrades. Our struggle will end in victory! #FreeAllPoliticalPrisonersinUganda”
NUP leaders, including Ismael Ssegawa also known as Sureman Ssegawa, the aspiring MP for Mubende municipality, Moses Ssematta, aspiring Mayor for South Division, Kanyike Silvester, also aspiring Mayor for South Division, Kabali Harunah, aspiring Mayor for West Division, Kyeyune’s brother, and Samuel Mayanja, a councilor, all belonging to NUP, requested bail for Pafuladiito and medical attention for injuries sustained during the arrest.
However, their efforts were unsuccessful, with Ismael Ssegawa’s attempts to secure bail being met with resistance from the authorities.
Speculation is rife that the police are awaiting directives from the SFC on how to proceed with the case.
The OC-CID had earlier declined to grant bail, stating that medical care would be provided at the police hospital for injuries sustained during the arrest.
As Pafuladiito spends the Easter holidays in jail, his supporters are rallying behind him, calling for his immediate release and an end to what they see as government harassment of opposition leaders.
Have An Advert Or Article You Want Us To Publish? Whatsapp: +256786288379 or email binocularugnews@gmail.com
