By Spy Uganda
Kampala: Uganda’s prominent novelist also a famous critic of the ruling government Kakwenza Rukirabashaija is vomiting and urinating blood after being excessively tortured by the security operatives who arrested him a week ago-says his lawyer Eron Kiiza.
Police yesterday said Kakwenza was arrested over his repeated social media posts in which he ‘abused’ President Museveni and the First Son, also the Commander of the Land Forces, Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
“On December 24, using his twitter handle electronically without any purpose of legitimate communication repeatedly abused the president of the Republic of Uganda using derogatory abusive and belittling his person,” said Crimes Investigations Division spokesperson, Charles Twiine adding;
”On 26th, the same gentleman through the same forum using the same belittling, derogatory and abusive words he made similar statements and attacked the person of Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba without any legitimate purpose of communication.”
READ ALSO: We Arrested Him For ‘Abusing Popular Individuals’: Police Speaks Out On Detained Novelist Kakwenza
According to the suspect’s lawyer Kiiza, after days unable to trace where his client was being held, he finally landed on him with swollen legs and his clothes full of blood.
“A search is ongoing at Mr Rukirabashaija’s home in Iganga. He is urinating blood. He has swollen legs. He is clearly tortured. He needs urgent medication and counselling,” says Kiiza.
This is the third time he is being arrested by security personnel. In all incidents, he has claimed that he was tortured. He was arrested in April and September 2020.
A search is ongoing at @KakwenzaRukira’s IGANGA home.
Urinating blood, vomiting, swollen legs, blood stains. Clearly tortured. @DailyMonitor @observerug @pen_int @usmissionuganda @EUinUG @PoliceUg @UPDFspokespersn He needs urgent medication & counseling. @NCHRD_UG @NetpilUganda pic.twitter.com/jSyXf1qhFP— KIIZA ERON (@kiizaeron) January 3, 2022
Ever since Kakwenza was arrested a couple of Ugandans, human rights activists, politicians, and fellow writers have condemned the government’s act of brutally ”silencing whoever tries to expose their rot”.
The president of Uganda’s Poets Association Ronald Sekajja said that Kakwenza’s arrest was used to reinforce fear among writers, adding that it shows the government will not allow criticism, especially now that President’s son Muhoozi is rumoured to be preparing to stand for the presidency.
However, Charles Twiine says they could not tolerate Kakwenza’s acts of using abusive language saying that can’t be tolerated in the Ugandan society.
“This is very bad. Abusive language has no platform or place in society, socially and legally. Even the most known opposition politicians have not used such words. You can challenge the system or method of work but can’t go personal. (https://midwaymoving.com) When you go personal it becomes an offence. This level of illusiveness and impunity is condemned,” Twiine said.
