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Uganda: Mengo Officials Freed, Re-Arrested
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New Vision (Kampala)
24 July 2008
Posted to the web 25 July 2008
Steven Candia and Bizimungu Kisakye
Kyenjojo
Emotions of extreme joy and extreme agony played out in Kyenjojo yesterday as the three Buganda Kingdom officials were rearrested only moments after being released.
The celebratory mood of the relatives was quickly dampened by the re-arrests, recalling scenes of the re-arrest of the PRA suspects at the Kampala High Court last year.
Internal affairs minister Ruhakana Rugunda, in a statement, defended the action, saying the three would be produced in court today in accordance with the law.
"In compliance with the court order issued by the Buganda Road Court on Wednesday, ordering that Peter Mayiga, Medard Ssegona Lubega and Betty Nambooze be released from Police custody unconditionally, the Police have accordingly released them from Kyenjojo Police Station today," the statement read.
"However, on the basis of the evidence so far gathered, and in accordance with the law, the Police have re-arrested them and they are to appear in court tomorrow (today), Friday July 25."
The drama started when Pearson Barasha, the CID boss for Western Region, summoned the relatives and friends who had been waiting since morning and announced that he had received orders from above to release the suspects.
First to emerge was Lubega, followed by Nambooze and Mayiga. Barasha made them sign and told them that they were free.
The kingdom officials, who had spent seven days in Police cells, were greeted with handshakes, hugs and the Luganda salutation, Mukulike, usually reserved for persons who have emerged from an ordeal.
They enjoyed only five minutes outside Police custody. As they were walking towards their vehicles, policemen pounced on them, forcing them into three waiting police patrol trucks which sped off towards Fort Portal while their relatives gave chase.
Lubega's pregnant wife, Diana Namuli, who had made the long journey to Kyenjojo for the reunion, collapsed as her husband was taken away.
The re-arrests drew the ire of the kingdom which termed them illegal and unconstitutional. They threatened to sue the Government.
"The action is extremely disappointing but perhaps not surprising," said Mengo's research minister, David Mpanga, who is also a lawyer for the accused.
"It is illegal and contrary to the Constitution. The framers of the Constitution were not stupid to put in place the 48 hour limit, which cannot be defeated by short moments of being released." He added that they would seek legal redress. The re-arrests came after the Government held a National Security Council Meeting, bringing together all security chiefs, chaired by the minister of Internal Affairs.
When contacted, Rugunda confirmed that the meeting had taken place but said it was not in his habit to discuss what had transpired.
Shortly before the re-arrests, rumours circulated that the Police was contemplating either releasing the suspects or charging them with treason, a new charge.
The Police yesterday evening said it had received reports that some people were mobilising by way of sms-messages to riot and were calling upon the vendors to close their shops.
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"We want to assure the public that tomorrow is a normal working day and their security is guaranteed," Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba warned. "Anyone found mobilising the public to riot will be dealt with firmly."
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