On the day when the twelve candidates vying for the Arua Municipality seat held their last rallies, it was alleged that supporters of Independent Candidate Kassiano Wadri attacked and smashed the hind glass of one of President Yoweri Museveni’s lead cars.
According to Museveni’s statement released yesterday morning, the rowdy supporters backed by Kyadondo East MP, Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine) blocked Museveni’s convoy with a grader and continued to taunt supporters of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) with stones prompting his security to intervene.
One person, Yasin Kawuma (Bobi Wine’s driver) was shot dead at Pacific Hotel and several others arrested.
The arrested included MPs Gerald Karuhanga of Ntungamo Municipality, Paul Mwiru of Jinja East, Francis Zaake of Mityana Municipality and Bobi Wine himself, and journalists.
“One of the president’s cars was attacked and smashed by the hooligans that were donning colours of one of the contestants in the election, Kassiano Wadri,”Kayima told journalists on Tuesday.
The police immediately mounted a manhunt where over 33 people were arrested and whisked to different places mostly Gulu Police.
In Parliament, the debate got heated up when the new Leader of Opposition, Betty Ochan who doubles as Gulu Municipality MP, tasked government to explain the whereabouts of the members who have been missing since the fateful Monday night.
It is at this point that Gen Moses Ali, the second deputy prime minister revealed to the house that Bobi Wine was set to face the General Court Martial in Gulu today.
This, he said, followed a search of his hotel by the police found that allegedly found two SMG guns and a magazine of bullets in his room – the same that he was smoked out of before his arrest.
Gen. Ali further revealed that musician cum politician has been charged with treason denying allegations that the arrested MPs had been tortured as alleged.
“There is no one of the arrested who was tortured. Be careful when doubting my statement because it is a minister’s statement,” Ali told the house.
Ali’s statement comes after pictures emerged on social media showing MP Francis Zaake in critical condition with reports emerging he was dumped at Arua Regional Referral Hospital for treatment before he was whisked away again.
Gen. Ali also confirmed reports that Bobi Wine was airlifted to Bombo Military Barracks for treatment before he was flown back to Gulu Hospital where he is receiving treatment as he awaits to appear to Gen Andrew Guti’s Court.
Parliament sends a six-man team
The revealation sent Parliament into frenzy prompting the Speaker of Parliament, Rebecca Kadaga to appoint a six-man team to represent the house in the military court.
The team comprises of Hon. Jovah Kamateka, Hon. Baryayanga Aja, Hon. Amule Ruth, Hon. Allan Ssewanyana, and Hon. Medard Ssegona.
Their task, is to return and furnish Parliament with a report from which the House will take an informed decision as to whether or not the house should be suspended until the missing members return.
Bobi Wine is co-accused with the winner of the race, Kassiano Wadri who spent the polling day in detention waiting to be arraigned in court.
According to the North- Western regional police spokesperson Josephine Angucia, Wadri was found with a pistol and twelve rounds of ammunition.
“For that matter, all have been charged with treason, unlawful possession of firearms,” Angucia said.
Bobi Wine’s wife speaks out
At a family gathering of Bobi Wine’s family, his wife Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi told the media that she feared that her husband was not in good health and that his life was deteriorating.
“We have not been allowed to see him or talk to him, she said.