The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A team of lawyers has petitioned the High Court in Kampala demanding the production in court of Ugandan blogger Fred Lumbuye Kajubi. They argue that Lumbuye is being held illegally, in facilities managed by the government of Uganda, where his rights to personal liberty are being violated.
Lumbuye, who until recently has been residing in Turkey, was reportedly arrested on August 4, 2021, and, according to the evidence submitted before the court, was deported by Turkish authorities, working closely with the government of Uganda.
The lawyers led by Geoffrey Turyamusiima made reference to statements by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Henry Okello Oryem indicating that Lumbuye was in the custody of the Ugandan authorities in Turkey and that he was en route to Uganda through Entebbe International Airport .
Turyamusiima explains that the legal team went to Entebbe Airport August 7 to wait for Lumbuye’s arrival but the whole Airport was cordoned off by joint security agencies, denying them access. He adds that the lawyers have searched for Lumbuye in the gazetted detention centres in Kampala and in Turkey, in vain.
The lawyers now want the court to order the Attorney General who has been listed as the only respondent to the case to produce the body of Lumbuye dead or alive for appropriate orders.
A few days ago, the Uganda Police Force Spokesperson Fred Enanga told Journalists that Lumbuye faces 15 charges related to computer misuse. He however did not confirm whether Lumbuye who gained prominence by criticizing the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni and circulating fake news about his death had been deported and detained in Uganda.
The Attorney General is yet to respond to the application which has been allocated to Justice Musa Ssekaana, the head of the Civil Division of High Court
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