MP Ssekikubo blames Gen Tumwine for his woes

Lwemiyaga County Member of Parliament, Theodore Ssekikubo has blamed his current woes on Security Minister, Gen Elly Tumwine.
Mr Ssekikubo is currently locked up at Masaka Central Police Station following his arrest on January 10, 2020 for allegedly mobilizing residents to defy the livestock quarantine, reopen livestock markets and inciting violence against law enforcement officers in Sembabule District.

However, the lawmaker accuses Gen Tumwine of enforcing the quarantine to create a monopoly and profiteer from cattle trade with his business associates at the expense of local livestock farmers.
He claims that although there hasn't been any confirmed case of the foot-and-mouth disease in Lwemiyiga County, the security agencies have insisted on closing cattle markets in total disregard of the provisions of the Animal Diseases Act that only mandates the Commissioner Animal Health to issue such directives.

READ:

MP Ssekikubo to face attempted murder charges allegedly committed 10 years ago

Mr Ssekikubo reportedly shot Habibu Nsamba Kanyarutokye, a security operative, in the private parts during the hotly contested party primaries where Ssekikubo was contesting with Patrick Nkalubo in 2010

Mr Ssekikubo indicates that prior to his arrest on Friday, hundreds of residents petitioned Parliament on Tuesday complaining about the persecution by the security Minister disguised in enforcement of quarantine.
According to the MP, enforcing a false quarantine in Lwemiyaga is a deliberate ploy to compel farmers to sell off their livestock at a giveaway price in markets in the neighbouring districts that are already manipulated by Gen Tumwine’s associates.
Geoffrey Muzunga, the Chairperson of Nabitanga Sub County in Sembabule has called for President Museveni’s intervention, arguing that it is going to cripple residents financially without justification.

However, in his rebuttal, General Tumwine described his accusers as hopeless fellows craving for public sympathy after committing offenses.
“All that is hopelessness. He's just trying to be heard or be seen trying to do something. It's not only his area that is under quarantine. The whole of Sembabule District is under quarantine...In a written document regarding why and how quarantine should be managed which was passed by Cabinet, first of all every citizen has a role against anybody who breaks the law. Once an area is declare under quarantine, it is the security forces which enforce,” Gen Tumwine told this reporter in a telephone interview.

He also threatened to drag his accusers to courts of law for maligning his repute with false allegations.
Asked about his role in enforcing the Quarantine in Sembabule District, Gen Tumwime observed he is directly responsible for averting all forms of insecurity including inciting people into violence in his capacity as Security Minister.
“In the case of Ssekikubo, inciting violence is a security matter. Enforcement of the law is by all citizens but of course specifically by security forces. Ssekikubo is breaking the law and order. Police have an obligation and a responsibility to arrest him, charge him and the courts will decide,” he added.