Defiant Amuriat in Mbarara Court

Main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Patrick Oboi Amuriat is appearing before the Mbarara Magistrate’s court for involvement in a traffic offence.

Earlier, there was drama at Mbarara Central Police Station as Amuriat refused to record a statement.

Hours before, police had intercepted Amuriat at Omunkombe near Kyamuhunga along Ishaka-Kasese Road and driven him to Mbarara.

The politician was expected to campaign in the districts of Rubirizi and Bushenyi.

Police had asked Amuriat to record a statement in relation to an incident on December 12 in which a bodaboda riding him knocked Mbarara District Police Commander (DPC) John Rutaagira.

Amuriat had dodged police blockades to ride through the Mbarara City Centre, contrary to police directives.

Amuriat said he would need his legal team’s opinion before recording a statement.

He insisted he was not aware of why police had blocked him from proceeding to Rubirizi District, and why he had been arrested and held in Mbarara.

“Before my lawyers come, I cannot record any statement,” Amuriat told officers.

“After all I am not even aware why I have been arrested.”