Politicians Condemn MP Ssewanyana’s Re-arrest

Several politicians have condemned the re-arrest of Makindye West MP, Allan Ssewanyana by the joint security forces.

Ssewanyana was Thursday evening rearrested as he left Kigo Prison where he had spent more than two weeks after he was remanded together with Kawempe North legislator Muhammad Ssegirinya.

The legislator is battling charges related to the recent spate of murders in Masaka where over 25 people were killed in one month.

Lawyer to the accused and Kampala Woman MP Shamim Malende, said the legislator was picked by unidentified gun wielding men in a grey Nissan van.

The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Spokesperson, Brig Flavia Byekwaso last evening said the legislator was just rearrested not abducted or Kidnapped as some people are portraying it.

She said it was an operation enforced by joint security forces on allegations of other charges the MP needs to answer.

“There are other charges that he needs to answer and it is not true he has been kidnaped. No one can do that to an MP. The best we do is re-arrest. He has been taken to Kireka and he is safe. We would like to assure the public that there is no need for alarm,” Brig Byekwaso said.

Politicians React

Opposition Strong man and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president, Dr Kizza Besigye described Ssewanyana’s arrest as outrageous abuse of rights and the violation of the rule of law with impunity.

“Having completed all the requirements to be released on bail from Kigo Prison, Hon Allan Ssewanyana emerged from the prison gates this evening; was promptly grabbed by armed men in black uniforms; thrown in a van (commonly called DRONE) and taken to, yet unknown, destination! This outrageous abuse of rights and the violation of the rule of law, with impunity calls on every Ugandan to protest and resist this NRM/M7 Junta rule. Today it’s Allan; tomorrow, it’ll be you!” he tweeted.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) President Robert Kyagulanyi commonly Known as Bobi Wine said the MP is just one of the many victims abducted by the security forces.

He described President Museveni’s recent address on Human Rights as a posture.

“Last night, Hon. Allan Ssewanyana a Member of Parliament (NUP) was abducted outside Kigo prison by gun wielding men after being granted bail by court. Driven to unknown place in the infamous ‘drone’ car! How thousands of our people have been abducted under the cover of the dark! A few weeks ago, Dictator Museveni came out to posture about human rights! We told him it was just a matter of time; he would be exposed. In no time, his men were at it again- torturing, abducting and murdering people. All Ugandans have an urgent duty to bring this to an end,” he tweeted.