Police raid Mbabazi house, arrest twenty of his supporters
Independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi (C) addressing the press on police raid at his home and campaign office on Monday. Courtesy photo
Police on Monday raided independent presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi’s campaign offices in Nakasero and Home in Kololo, Kampala where they arrested some of his supporters.
According to Mr Mbabazi, 20 of his supporters including his cleaners were arrested and taken to unknown locations without any explanation given.
“Two things occurred today police raided my home and arrested people who had come to see me. They took three young men whose whereabouts we don't know. Before 9 o'clock police both in uniform and plain cloth arrested every male in the compound. Twenty have been arrested and we have no idea where they are. Denying me free campaign is denying me my right even if you have the police or military,” Mr Mbabazi said on Monday during a press conference at his campaign offices.
Police Spokesperson Mr Fred Enanga said they (police) are preparing a media brief which will be made available soon.
“I don’t want to speculate now. We are preparing a media briefing and we will let you know,” he said.
The arrest comes barely a day after president Yoweri Museveni who is also the NRM flag bearer threatened to arrest Mbabazi’s supporters over the violent clashes that erupted between them and NRM members at a rally in the western district of Ntungamo, early this month.
Mr Museveni on Sunday sought to allay fears that the election may take a turn for the worse, telling a press briefing in Mbale that Mr Mbabazi’s supporters that were caught up in the clashes are “thugs” and “idiots”-and that the Police is already “rounding them up”.
In his Monday media briefing however, Mr Mbabazi said he will not relent to intimidation from the ruling government.
“I appeal for a peaceful campaign. You have not heard me abuse anyone. Some people think am soft but I can tell you that in softness there is strength. You see snakes are soft but they can swallow a cow. Softness is not weakness,” he said.
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