RUKIGA-Rukiga District is in turmoil as angry residents led by local leaders accuse the Rukiga District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Kamusiime Caroline Muhwezi, of orchestrating a wave of politically-motivated arrests following her loss in the recently concluded NRM primaries.
The protests, which have broken out across Mparo Town Council, were led by Mayor Jimmy Kawaida, who claims he was himself detained and questioned in Kabale before being released without charge. “Myself was detained and taken to Kabale for questioning before I was released without charge,” Kawaida said.
Kawaida and other local leaders allege that at least two people have so far been arrested, with several others reported missing or in hiding to avoid what they describe as “targeted political harassment.
“He further claims that individuals who received money from Hon. Kamusiime but failed to mobilize support for her, along with others believed to have distributed funds on behalf of her rival, Dr. Sylvia Arinaitwe, are being targeted for arrest.
Dr. Arinaitwe emerged victorious in the July 17 NRM primaries as the Woman MP flag bearer for Rukiga District.
Frank Besigye Kyereere, the newly elected NRM Chairperson for Rukiga District, has openly criticized the alleged actions of Hon. Kamusiime, urging her to respect due process.
“Please stop arresting people. You petitioned the NRM Tribunal after losing the Woman MP primary election for Rukiga. Why don’t you wait for the verdict?” he said.
Kyereere also expressed concern over the involvement of security operatives reportedly from the CID headquarters in Kampala, stating that the Rukiga District Security Committee had no knowledge of the ongoing arrests.
“Imagine people from Kampala arresting our people here in Rukiga, and detaining them from Kabale. What kind of law enforcement is that?” he asked.
Counsel Patrick Katabazi Kiconco, the lawyer representing families of the arrested, confirmed that two individuals are being held at Kabale Police Station.
“They were made to make statements without their lawyer, yet I was present. We are yet to find out the charges against them. What is happening here is illegal, and we won’t allow it to continue,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rukiga RDC Mr. Zadock Kamusiime acknowledged receiving reports of electoral violence during the NRM primaries and confirmed that two UPDF officers assaulted Mayor Kawaida during the campaign period.In a disturbing development, the RDC also reported that a woman from Mparo Town Council abandoned her baby and fled into hiding to evade arrest.
“She follows a number of several others who have run away into hiding as random arrests rock the district,” RDC Zadock said.He noted that the arrested individuals were in the custody of the Kigezi Region Police, and promised to follow up on their cases to ensure justice.
“That’s the assurance I give you. I have confirmed that the arrested are in legal hands. Let’s hope they will get justice,” he added, though he declined to confirm the charges or the complainant.Zadock appealed to those in hiding to return home, assuring them that the authorities are committed to justice.
Amidst these developments, fear and anxiety continue to spread among the people of Rukiga, with reports of threats, disappearances, and continued harassment creating a climate of political tension.Mayor Kawaida, who says he has received threats to his life, warned that the situation may spiral further unless swift action is taken.
“Our people are living in fear. This is not how democracy should function,” he said.As the nation watches closely, the residents of Rukiga await clarity, justice, and an end to what they call a “campaign of political retaliation.”
