Police pluck MP Zaake from plane after arrival at Entebbe

Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Zaake. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • Ms Namirembe said they had been scheduled to arrive at Entebbe airport aboard Kenya Airways but in a bid to beat security, they changed their flight to Jumbo jet from which police got Zaake.
  • His lawyer Mr Asuman Basalirwa condemned the manner in which Zaake was picked from the plane calling it unlawful.

Police on Thursday plucked Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Zaake from the plane shortly after arriving at Entebbe International Airport and whisked him away.

Mr Zaake arrived at Entebbe International Airport at about 7:20am from Manipal Hospital in India where he was hospitalised for 40 days after sustaining injuries meted on him by security agents.

MP Zaake’s wife Ms Bridget Namirembe told Daily Monitor that as soon the plane touched the ground, police officers who were on standby immediately picked Mr Zaake from the plane and put him in a waiting police van before speeding off.

“When I tried to get off the plane and follow, I was told by airport authorities that I would be arrested and I was informed our luggage was also taken,” she said.

Ms Namirembe said they had been scheduled to arrive at Entebbe airport aboard Kenya Airways but in a bid to beat security, they changed their flight to Jambojet from which police picked Zaake.

His lawyer Mr Asuman Basalirwa described the manner in which Mr Zaake was picked from the plane as unlawful.

“Mr Zaake reached the airport when it was approaching 7am but they didn’t allow him to get off the plane and took him off. We had planned to take him to Mityana for prayers,” he said.

Reports emerged later that police drove Zaake to his home.

Police had earlier warned that they would not allow any unlawful procession along roads with its deputy spokesperson, Mr Patrick Onyango saying the force would provide the MP with escort cars from the airport.

From the airport, Zaake team had planned stopovers at Zigoti and Muduuma.