By Spy Uganda
The Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) is literally stuck with Maj. Steven Rwakanuma, who was arrested last week over allegations of being in possession with firearms and abuse of office.
Maj. Rwakanuma, a Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) serving officer, was arrested on May 22, 2020 From his farm in Isingiro District, by a joint team of UPDF soldiers, CMI operatives and Police, before he was whisked to Makindye Military Barracks, where he has been in detention since his arrest.
However, our source from CMI reveal that although he is being held incommunicado at the Makindye Barracks, the army and CMI have failed to press any charges against him after investigators into allegations lodged against him discovered that it was a case of malice, because there is no evidence to support the allegations. “waacha wewe, hiyo ni hobyo too,” an investigating officer was heard on phone talking to a friend.
“He has been in detention for over a week without being produced either at the Court Martial or any other competent court in Uganda after they have failed to find any incriminating evidence against him,” the source who preferred anonymity told this reporter.
“The source added that “He has been denied access to his lawyers and family members and friends. They keep telling us that they are investigating the matter. For days detectives have been camping in Isingiro District combing the area for evidence to support the allegations but they can’t find any,” the source said.
It was also alleged that Maj. Rwakanuma was aiding the smuggling of Tanzanians into Uganda to escape the COVID-19 lockdown but the accusers have since failed to adduce evidence to support their allegations or arrest any of the Tanzanians he allegedly helped to smuggle into Uganda.
But despite all the allegations above, our Spies reveal that Maj. Rwakanuma’s arrest is a case of sheer malice after he fell out with some officers at CMI, who are now using their offices to witch-hunt and torture him.
We have since established that if they fail to find any drop of evidence against Maj. Rwakanuma, the CMI will be left with no choice but to set him free, because even the allegations of illegal possession of firearms do not hold water since he is a serving military officer who is by law entitled to possess a registered firearm assigned to him by the army.
It should be noted that according to Uganda’s constitution, suspect is not supposed to be detained beyond the mandatory 48 hours before being produced in a competent court of law to face charges lodged against him or her.
It should be noted that ever since the senior UPDF officer was arrested, the army Spokesperson Brig. Richard Karemire has not yet issued a statement about the matter, something that is rather unusual, especially to a high ranking officer like Rwakanuma. “Why do you think the army spokesperson has remained tight lipped on the matter?” the sources added.
