Buganda Katikkiro Peter Mayiga Condemns Arrest of Presidential Aspirants

The Katikkiro of Buganda Kingdom, Charles Peter Mayiga has come out to condemn the way police has been handling the different presidential and parliamentary candidates during their campaign trails.

This follows the arrest of National Unity Platform’s presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu in Luuka district and Patrick Amuriat in Gulu on Wednesday.

Patrick Amuriat, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party candidate, was arrested in Gulu and later released.

Independent presidential candidate Gen. Henry Tumukunde who has since threatened to withdraw from the presidential race has also experienced the unfair treatment of security operatives who have in the past few days blocked several of his campaign meetings an d rallies from taking place.

“COVID-19 is dangerous but it doesn’t mean that those not adhering to the set guidelines should be treated like animals. Beating, arresting them and violating human rights are all unlawful. The government should not violate laws under the disguise of COVID-19,” said Mayiga in a statement on his Facebook page.

Mayiga says that the killing, use of teargas and other brutal acts should stop since they disrupt the stability of the country.

The Katikiro however urged Ugandans to continue abiding by the preventive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) set by the Ministry of Health and the Electoral Commission.

Kyagulanyi’s arrest sparked off protests in different parts the country where hundreds took to the streets demanding for his release.

In Kampala, the rioters burned down tyres in the middle of roads around Kisekka market, Nabugabo lane, Nasser road, Nkrumah, City square, Bombo road and Kampala road. There were also protests in Jinja, Busia, Luweero, Mukono and Masaka.

The protests were marred by teargas and live bullets shot by the regular police backed by anti-riot police, military and Local Defence Units- LDUs wounding some people and killing others.

A statement from Police confirmed that 3 people have died while 34 others have sustained injuries as security officers tried to disperse the rioters.