Arua polls: Wadri’s campaign team demands his release

Ms Christine Abia (R) speaks to journalists in Arua town on Tuesday. PHOTO BY FELIX WAROM OKELLO

ARUA- The campaign team of Mr Kassiano Wadri, an independent candidate in the Arua Municipality Parliament race has demanded his release.

Mr Wadri who was arrested on Monday is being held in an unknown location.

 The campaign team said the police have failed to provide them with information about their candidate.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Ms Christine Abia, who is Mr Wadri’s campaign manager, said: “We want the state to release our candidate and they should tell us where they are holding him. We are not in a military state. And we ask our people to come out in large numbers to exercise their power through voting for Wadri.”

 Ms Abia, who is a former Arua District Woman MP, said by holding Mr Wadri over unclear reasons, the state wants to kill the spirit of  his voters.

“Wadri and his voters have a right to express their constitutional right. His arrest will not deter the people to come out tomorrow [Wednesday] to vote for him,” Mr  Francis Gonahasa, the Kabweri MP said.

 Mr Wadri’s campaign officials said when police and military personnel searched their offices, Shs85 million that was contributed by well-wishers to facilitate polling agents, was stolen.

Mr Wadri, was arrested on Monday night after soldiers fired live bullets on the crowd of his supporters who were moving from a campaign venue.

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West Nile Regional Police Commander, Mr Jonathan Musinguzi was hesitant to disclose where Mr Wadri was being held.

“We have many arrests and they will be charged but I do not know where Wadri is and we have been looking for him,” he said.

Over 34 people, including several Opposition MPs and journalists who were arrested on Monday night were transferred to Gulu Police Station.

However, the two NTV journalists were released on Tuesday.