Relatives turn to police for missing journalist

Kampala. It is now more than three months since a veteran journalist went missing, but his relatives insist that he is being detained by Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence in a facility in Mbuya, a Kampala suburb.

Reverend Isaac Bakaka, a former soldier in Iddi Amin’s regime, went missing in October last year in Seeta Town where he had gone to meet a person who had called him on phone.

Rev Bakka’s relatives said they have moved to all security agencies to gain access to their loved one but in vain.

They say the person who called Rev Bakka was arrested by Flying Squad Unit (FSU) operatives and informed them that their relative was being held at a cell run by CMI operatives at Special Investigations Unit at Kireka, Wakiso District.

Kampala Metropolitan police spokesperson Luke Oweyisigire said he had not been briefed yet by the FSU commander, Mr Herbert Muhangi, about the progress of the case.

“I cannot say much until I have got a briefing from the Flying Squad Unit commander. The last time I contacted him, he told me that the victim was still missing,” Mr Oweyisigire said yesterday.

Brig Richard Karemire, the army spokesperson, did not respond to Daily Monitor’s question about the whereabouts of Rev Bakka.

His relatives have petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Gen Kale Kayihura, to allow them access their relative at Kireka, but failed to get any response.

After serving in Idi Amin’s army, Rev Bakka later worked with National Resistance Army rebels to fight Milton Obote’s government.

Last week, Rev Bakka’s son, Mr Dan Bakka, said social media messages that are sent to Rev Bakka are being delivered and read, but they have been unable to know who is reading them.

Mr Bakka said they are worried about the health of their father since he has had more than three surgeries that left him weak.

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