Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi, the deputy president of Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) for Buganda region, has been arrested in connection with violence in Butambala county, for which he is currently MP.
The violence broke out during an election, which Kivumbi lost to Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi.
President Museveni blamed the violence on opposition-linked gangs, saying they planned to attack polling stations where NUP candidates lost.
“When Kivumbi was defeated, they came with pangas and tried to attack the polling station, and seven of them were shot dead there,” Museveni said, adding that security forces acted in self-defense.
However, Kivumbi disputes this, alleging security forces raided his home, killing 10 supporters.
Bobi Wine supports this claim, telling Al Jazeera, “Ten people were killed in Butambala at the house of my deputy president. They were shot dead. The police shot through the door of a garage, a car storage room and killed 10 people. But scores were also killed in Iganga. Many people were killed in Kawempe and many other places”.
Now, police has confirmed arresting Muwanga Kivumbi.
Katonga Region PRO SP Lydia Tumushabe says Muwanga Kivumbi is being held by the police force and will be presented before a court of law.
“The Uganda Police Force would like to confirm the arrest of the Butambala County legislator, Hon. Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi. He is currently in police custody and will be arraigned before court in due course,” said Tumushabe in a statement.
“His arrest is in connection with recent incidents of political violence in Butambala.”
Meanwhile, Bobi Wine, the main opposition leader, is reportedly in hiding after escaping a military raid on his home. His whereabouts are unknown, but his party has condemned the violence and called for calm.
In brief
– Muwanga Kivumbi arrested over Butambala violence
– Kivumbi lost election to Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi
– Bobi Wine in hiding after military raid on his home
You can read the word-by-word interview in which Bobi Wine revealed his next move, talked about his position on protests to remove Museveni, challenging presidential election results in Supreme Court, and Butambala violence Here.
Muwanga Kivumbi is among the most powerful Buganda MPs that have lost MP seats. Others losing were a number of Museveni Ministers. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
