MP Zaake Rearrested After Arua Court Released Him on Bail

Security has Friday rearrested, Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Zaake Butebi just moments after he was granted bail by court in Arua district.

The legislator was driven to Arua on Friday morning following his arrest in Kampala on Thursday evening. Police said he was arrested for jumping police bond which was granted to him last year.

Last year, the MP had been arrested in Arua during election campaigns, and charged with treason and unlawful escape from Police custody.

On Friday, the Chief Magistrate’s court in Arua granted Zaake temporary freedom when he was granted a Shs 50 million non-cash bail, before adjourning the case to March 22.

However, the legislator was immediately rearrested by security officers. He would later tell reporters that he was being taken to Gulu magistrate’s Court.

“My supporters should be calm, this will get done, we shall overcome. We are heading to Gulu now for the treason case and we shall be granted bail,” he said.

The youthful legislator is among the MPs who were arrested and allegedly tortured by security operatives upon their arrest on the last day of campaigns in the August by-election in Arua municipality.

Security said then that he escaped from Police custody and went to Lubaga hospital in Kampala where he was admitted. It was later reported that he could neither sit nor walk, before being cleared to fly to India for specialised medical treatment.

Zaake together with over 30 other people including MPs; Bobi Wine, Paul Mwiru, Gerald Karuhanga and Kassiano Wadri, faces charges of treason.

The State accuses them of pelting stones at the motorcade of President Yoweri Museveni in Arua on August 13 during an election campaign.