By Spy Uganda
Kampala: The police on Wednesday afternoon arrested a man who tried to set himself ablaze inside People Power movement leader Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s offices in Kamwokya.
Robert Kakooza Kwesiga aka Sanya Tim,25 years old, a resident of Kasokoso-Kireka, Kira Municipality, in Wakiso District, was arrested for attempted suicide.
It is alleged that Kakooza attempted to burn himself inside the offices of People People Kamwokya, Central Division Kampala, but police intervened quickly after being alerted by the guards at the offices and managed to avert the suicide.
After his arrest, Kakooza told police that on July 19, 2020, while he was part of a procession of People Power supporters heading to Kayunga District for the burial of the late Charles Mutyabule, he was arrested and his motorcycle impounded. He was later released but the motorcycle remained at Nagalama Police Station.
Kakooza alleged that he tried several times to get back his motorcycle, but a police officer kept on demanding for money, which he didn’t have.
The suspect said he informed Bobi Wine’s brother Fred Nyanzi about his predicament, who promised to help and called him for a meeting on Wednesday, but when he reached People Power offices, Nyanzi only gave him Shs40,000, yet he expected Shs200,000.
“I got disappointed with People Power Movement and decided to commit suicide,” Kakooza told police.
The staff at People Power offices said they smelt a rat after Kakooza poured petrol on himself and threatened to set himself on fire. They quickly alerted police which swiftly reached the area and apprehended Kakooza.
After his arrest, the police recovered a lighter, jacket soaked with petrol among others.
“We have instituted a team to investigate the corruption allegations on the part of the police officer,” said SP Patrick Onyango, the Kampala Metropolitan Police mouthpiece.
Kakooza was detained at Kira Road Police Station vide charges of attempted suicide as investigations continue.
“We want to appeal to the public not to kill themselves because their political party have failed to meet their aspirations,” Onyango added.
However, the incident comes a few days after boda-boda rider identified as Hussein Walugembe,29, burnt himself to death at Masaka police station because cops there had impounded his motorcycle and were demanding for money before releasing it.
