KAMPALA — A live political broadcast at Radio Simba was abruptly thrown into chaos on Saturday when Charles Rwomushana was surrounded and taken away by armed men in plain clothes.
Rwomushana, a former intelligence operative who has become one of Uganda’s most outspoken political commentators, was participating in the station’s Saturday programme, Gasimbagane ne Bannamawulire, when the incident occurred.
The programme was being held at Radio Simba’s premises on Corporation Rise in Bukoto.
The station subsequently confirmed that Rwomushana had been taken from its premises, but did not immediately provide details about the circumstances of the operation.
Footage recorded at the scene showed several men converging on Rwomushana and escorting him forcefully towards the exit.
He appeared to be carrying a notebook as he was led away.
At least two of the men appeared to be armed. One appeared to have a pistol, while another was seen with what looked like a bigger firearm.
Moments later, Rwomushana had been removed from the station.
Mystery over security operation
The dramatic incident immediately raised questions about the identity of the men and the authority under which they were operating.
By Saturday afternoon, there had been no public explanation from police or the UPDF detailing why Rwomushana had been taken away.
It was also unclear whether he had been formally arrested, detained for questioning or taken away as part of another security operation.
The lack of an immediate official account left the circumstances surrounding the incident unresolved.
His name has surfaced in Besigye proceedings
Rwomushana has previously attracted attention in connection with the ongoing treason-related proceedings involving opposition politician Dr Kizza Besigye, Obed Lutale and Captain Oola.
His name has appeared in material associated with the case, although Rwomushana has repeatedly downplayed reports suggesting that he is directly implicated.
It remained unclear on Saturday whether his removal from Radio Simba had anything to do with the case.
No authority had publicly made such a connection by the time of publication.
For now, the unanswered questions surrounding the dramatic operation are likely to keep attention focused on Rwomushana: Who ordered his removal? Who were the armed men? Where was he taken? And what prompted the intervention at a Kampala radio station?
The answers could determine whether Saturday’s extraordinary scenes were an isolated security operation or the beginning of a new development involving one of Uganda’s most controversial political voices.
It should be remembered that Charles Rwomushana was named in Besigye meetings plotting to remove or kill Museveni, reports to which he has responded that lions in his home village climb trees. (See Details Here and There).
