AGAIN: Novelist Kakwenza arrested over another book

Security agencies have arrested novelist Kawenza Rukirabashaija, his lawyer Eron Kiiza of Kiiza & Mugisha Advocates has confirmed.

According to Kiiza, operatives believed to be from the Chieftain of Military Intelligence (CMI) picked Kakwenza from his home in Iganga at about 6:30 am on the morning of September 18.

Counsel Kiiza believes that Kakwenza’s arrest is in connection with the publication of a book titled ‘THE BANANA REPUBLIC, where writing is treasonous.’

The book “recounts the grim torture of how CMI arrested, detained and tortured him for seven days from Easter Monday [April 13, 2020],” explained the author’s lawyer.

“The CMI operatives had the audacity of telling his wife and area LC 1 Chairperson they were arresting him over his continued writing of literature critical of President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta, Uganda’s over 34 years military leader,” claimed Kiiza.

In May 2020, Iganga Chief Magistrates Court granted bail to Kakwenza after days of remand at Busesa for doing an act likely to spread the infection of a disease (Covid19 in this case) contrary to Section 171 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 120.

Prosecution had alleged that Kakwenza ‘unlawfully/negligently posted messages on his Facebook account mobilizing the public against complying with directives and public health guidelines issued to prevent the spread of Covid19, and knowing or having reason to believe that such actions would lead to further spread of Covid19, a disease dangerous to human life.’

But his lawyers then claimed he had been detained for publishing a novel titled ‘Greedy Barbarian’ which was critical of the Museveni regime.

Several friends, including main opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye, have started calling for the release of Kakwenza.