Despite being rushed in an ambulance to Entebbe International Airport (EBB) this morning, MP Francis Zaake has missed his first flight after the government refused to clear him for travel.
Mityana municipality MP Francis Zaake is a suspect on the run who disappeared from lawful @PoliceUg custody in Arua and should be arrested at the earliest. He could be trying to escape from justice. @UgandaMediaCent https://t.co/FOTbSiv5Ly
— Ofwono Opondo P’Odel (@OfwonoOpondo) August 30, 2018
Ofwono Opondo, the Executive Director, Uganda Media Centre sent a tweet saying that “Zaake is a suspect on the run who disappeared from Uganda Police custody in Arua and should be arrested at the earliest. He could be trying to escape from justice.”
Immigration officers at the airport are demanding for a clearance letter from the Criminal Intelligence Division (CID) before letting Zaake get airborne.
The CIID Grace Akullo has ordered that Zaake be taken to Mulago hospital instead.
Insider sources say that the security forces have today afternoon been summoned for a closed-door meeting at the Prime Minister’s office to decide Zaake’s fate but Makindye East MP, Allan Ssewanyana says that the results could be to arrest Zaake first.
“We have just received information that a meeting has been held at the Prime Minister’s Office with all security heads over the same matter and have zeroed on arresting him first,”Ssewanyana said.
Asuman Basalirwa, Zaake’s lawyer has said that blocking Zaake from travelling for treatment is “troubling.”
“Zaake is not a fugitive from the law. He does not need clearance from the Police to travel to India for medical care. The decision to block him at the Airport is troubling. We urge govt to allow him to travel without any further delay, he added.