JUST IN: Ex-Presidential Candidate Detained by Tanzanian Authorities; Wanted by Ugandan State

Authorities in Tanzania are said to have detained a former presidential candidate who challenged President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni at the ballot years ago. 

The former presidential candidate has been detained at the Dar es Salaam Airport in Tanzania, according to opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye.

Besigye says that his political ally and businessman Chapaa Karuhanga had been in Tanzania for about nine months as he was expanding his businesses to Uganda’s southern neighbor.

Karuhanga, who hails from Mitooma District, is the Chairman and Managing Director of Serefaco Consultants Limited, a company offers consultancy services for the planning, design, and execution of projects in Central and East Africa.

Chapaa Karuhanga’s company has been in existence since 1979, the time Dictator Idi Amin Dada’s regime fell.

He is also a founder member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) on whose ticket Besigye ran thrice and for which he was party president for years.

Karuhanga stood as a presidential candidate in the 2001 elections, the first time Besigye also run against Gen Museveni, his former boss in the bush war and in the NRA/M Government.

According to Besigye, a retired colonel and medical doctor, Karuhanga has been held by Tanzanian authorities at the Dar es Salaam Airport.

Besigye also claimed that immigration officials had made it clear to Karuhanga that the Ugandan state wants him over alleged crimes committed in Uganda.

“Just got info that Mr Chapaa Karuhanga, Chairman/MD of SEREFACO Ltd, who has been in Tanzania since Jan 2022, setting up his business there, is detained at Dar es Salaam airport. He’s been informed by Immigration Officers that he’s needed by Ugandan government!” said Besigye.

“Chapaa is a founding member and senior (Eminent) Envoy/Advisor of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and a for Presidential Candidate (2001 elections).”

It was not yet clear when Chapaa Karuhanga would be handed over to the Ugandan authorities and what charges would be slapped on him. But the businessman and politician is likely to be linked to FDC’s activities.

Away from that, here is a free training opportunity for Ugandan businesses, offered by University of Chicago, Imuka Access and other partners. REGISTER HERE

Besigye: Nobody Should Judge ‘Dead Gen Elly Tumwine’ or Celebrate His Death