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Police explain charges against Kabuleta
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Uganda Police have confirmed that they are the ones who arrested Joseph Kabuleta today. Police said in a statement that he was arrested for failing to honor summons issued to him to report to Kampala Metropolitan Police on Novevember 3, 2022 for an interview and statement recording on charges of promoting sectarianism.
. @NabakkaClaire Today 28th November 2022 at 1255hrs, Joseph Kabuleta was arrested after failing to honor Police summons issued to him to report to KMP on 3rd Nov 2022 at 1000hrs for interview and statement recording on charges of Promoting Sectarianismhttps://t.co/zu8em1x1On
— Uganda Police Force (@PoliceUg) November 28, 2022
National Economic Empowerment Dialogue-NEED Party had earlier failed to trace where their party president Joseph Kabuleta was being held over 12 hours after he was arrested by plain-clothed security operatives.
Then unknown security operatives grabbed Kabuleta from his party offices in Bugolobi, Kampala at around 1:00 PM Monday.
The Party Spokesperson, Moses Matovu told URN that the plain-clothed men pulled up the gate in a black drone. Two of the suspected security operatives entered the gate and grabbed Kabuleta from his office while three others stayed in the drone.
“They told us he was being taken to the Criminal Investigations Directorate CID. We followed him at CID but shockingly we were informed that they don’t have him. So currently we don’t know where exactly he is being held,” Matovu said.
However, video footage from the security camera at Kabuleta’s office show about six plain-clothed men entering his office building. Four of the men approached Kabuleta who was chatting away with two other men and exchanging pleasantries.
#UPDATE A video footage captured by CCTV cameras shows about six plain-clothed men entering @JKabuleta's office in bugolobi. Four of the men approached Kabuleta, the National Economic Dialogue (NEED) party president and whisked him away. #JosephKabuleta #Kampala pic.twitter.com/ZJgH1MS5Eh
— AfricaTembelea (@AfricaTembelea) November 28, 2022
They asked him to escort them while one filmed what was happening usingg his mobile phone. One of the men is seen picking Kabuleta’s mobile phone before they led him away. The arrest comes shortly after Kabuleta addressed a press conference where he spoke about the recent attacks on security installations and theft of guns in the country.
“We have security issues here, a lot of uncertainties going on here, the president should come out and address the nation on these insecurity problems that are propping up in the country instead of traveling to Vietnam, USA, claiming that he is attracting investors. Who can invest here with this uncertainty around?“Kabuleta asked before his arrest.
He said the Ugandans should be told whether there is a rebel group that they should be worried about or an insurgency in the East African region.
On November 4, 2022, the CID Commandant summoned Kabuleta for questioning in vain. According to the Police summons, Kabuleta is accused of making tribal-based comments on May 30, 2022.
The Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango declined to comment on the matter and referred our reporter to Police spokesperson Fred Enanga, whose phones were unavailable.
Kabuleta’s arrest also came hours after unknown men driving a drone picked up Sheikh Ramadhan Mwanja, the former acting Amir of Jamatil Dawatil Salafiya Tablique Community shortly after stepping outside Nakasero Mosque.
The group spokesperson, Siraji Kifampa, said they were yet to establish those behind the arrest and the reasons for their action.
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FULL POLICE STATEMENT
Today 28th November 2022 at 1255hrs, Joseph Kabuleta was arrested after failing to honor Police summons issued to him to report to Kampala Metropolitan Police Headquarters on 3rd November 2022 at 1000hrs for interview and statement recording on charges of Promoting Sectarianism.
This follows a Police general inquiry that began on the 14th June 2022, by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to verify allegations that Joseph Kabuleta and others still at large, made utterances which were likely to create alienation or despondency, raise discontent or disaffection and promote feelings of ill will or hostility among members of the public.
It is alleged that on 30th May 2022 in Kampala District, Joseph Kabuleta and others held a press conference under their Political Party, National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED), where they alleged that social service delivery in Mbarara is based on ethnic lines of the Tutsi, Bahima, Bakiga and Banyakore. Kabuleta and others shall be charged with Promoting Sectarianism C/S 41(1) of the PCA CAP 120.
The UPF appeals to the general public to desist from making statements that may cause discontent, incite violence and instigate hostility among the affected communities.
ACP Nabakka S. Claire
D/PRO
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