Hotel owner gets threats for hosting opposition leaders
Luxurious. Prime Hotel in Tororo that is often frequented by Opposition politicians. COURTESY PHOTO
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- “I am a business person and my role is to host every customer irrespective of their political, religious, tribal or cultural inclinations but I do not know why they are after my business,” Suzan Mwanika Adikini, proprietor of Prime Hotel in Tororo
Tororo. The proprietor of Prime Hotel in Tororo has said she and her family are living in fear after receiving numerous threats by anonymous people suspected to be from security agencies.
Ms Suzan Mwanika Adikini last week said she started receiving the threatening phone calls two months ago, warning her of dire consequences if she continued hiring out her hotel for meetings by Opposition politicians.
“I am going through a lot of pain and my children are traumatised,” said Ms Mwanika, adding that when they anonymous people call, they identify themselves as security officials.
Ms Mwanika has reported the case of threatening violence at Tororo Central Police Station and also sought police protection.
“After seeing that my life was in danger, I reported the case but they have continued calling me, labelling me an Opposition sympathiser and warning me to stop,” she said.
She said the callers warned her against associating with Opposition leaders or their activities in the Bukedi sub-region.
“I am a business person and my role is to host every customer irrespective of their political, religious, tribal or cultural inclinations but I do not know why they are after my business,” she lamented.
Prime Hotel, located in the Senior Quarters, an upscale suburb of Tororo Town, is a popular venue where Opposition politicians often hold their meetings.
Several prominent Opposition leaders, including four- time presidential candidate Kizza Besigye and former presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi, have previously held meetings at the hotel.
Ms Mwanika said she did not know that hosting Opposition figures as customers in her hotel would offend officials in government.
The District Police Commander, Mr John Rutaagira, confirmed that they have received a case of threatening violence from Ms Mwanika.
“The case has been registered and we have started investigations because it is a serious matter,” he said.
The Resident District Commissioner, Mr Nickson Owole, said they are investigating the threats against the hotel owner.
“I don’t think that it will be fair for security to interfere with someone’s private business unless the people going in to get services have a criminal record. But I have instructed police to follow up on the matter diligently,” Mr Owole said.
