By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: Members of the general public have been warned to desist from dragging Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) Maj. Gen. Sabiiti Muzeeyi into the arrest of Bobi Wine promoter Andrew Mukasa aka Bajjo Events.
The warning was sounded Monday by Uganda police spokesperson Fred Enanga, who said dragging Deputy IGP into Bajjo’s arrest was intended to divert the public from major investigations. Bajjo was abducted on Saturday at Centenary Park as he addressed the media about a marathon he was planning to host in collaboration with Abby Musinguzi aka Abitex. After the brutal arrest, Bajjo was bundled into a waiting white van registration number plate UAT 511C by men dressed in Special Forces Command (SFC) and Presidential Police Unit (PPU) uniforms. However, the same number plate was also seen on a Land Cruiser that Sabiiti was chauffeured in March last year when he was going to parliament for vetting after being appointed Deputy IGP.
But while sounding the public warning, Enanga, said dragging Deputy IGP into Bajjo’s arrest was intended to divert the public from major investigations. He said that “The suspect is accused of inciting the public to rise up against President Museveni and his government.” Enanga also said that “UAT 511C and other number plates have been registered under pseudo names purposely to be used by security units during covert operations. We want to put it clear that the private car number plates indeed belong to our sister agency that logistically supports the police operation. Such number plates when the situation demands can be used to achieve tactical or operational results. The DIGP last used those number plates in May 2018, while appearing before the Parliamentary Appointments Committee,” Enanga said. However, Enanga didn’t explain why the number plate is registered in the names of Abduallah Trading Company with the Uganda Revenue Authority and why URA records indicate that it was issued to a Toyota Spacio.
Police said Sabiiti has since been allocated an official police vehicle and now has no attachment to those private numbers plates. Enanga said investigations into Bajjo’s crimes will continue and the suspect will be handled in accordance with the laws of the country. Police said treason charges have since been preferred against Bajjo. He also warned the public on posting videos glorifying violence using undemocratic means is an infringement on the law. Public has also been advised not to share such videos. His charges emanate from a video that went viral in which he reportedly incited Ugandans to topple this government out of power. “The case relates to the comments he made in the local language, Luganda and circulated online. When translated, Andrew Mukasa of Bajjo events warns H.E. The President of their plans to oust him before the year 2021, and further warns the military of similar plans to oust the President, and indicates with confidence how he had people backing him,” Enanga said. Other offences police are considering slapping against Bajjo include inciting violence, misprision of treason, cyber crime and computer misuse.
