Uganda Cranes player arrested

Sunday
Burundi v Uganda

Uganda Cranes goalkeeper Hamza Muwonge is likely to miss Sunday’s Championship of African Nations (CHAN) first leg tie against Burundi.

Muwonge was arrested at his home in Kikumbi Zone, Zzana, along the Kampala-Entebbe highway, in the wee hours of yesterday morning on allegations of assault, malicious damage and criminal trespass.

His arrest follows allegations of encroaching on the fence of his neighbour Richard Bisherurwa, Police’s director of human resource.
Muwonge, who was being held at Katwe Police Station by press time, reportedly dug a trench in the fence they share with Bisherurwa.

Speaking to Daily Monitor yesterday, Katwe Police DPC Wesley Ngainzi said the Bunnamwaya goalkeeper violently resisted arrest when officers tried to apprehend him. Muwonge’s case file is SD.17/08/03/2010.

“The shocking thing is that he (Muwonge) dug up the trench at night,” Ngainzi said. Adding; “The complainant (Bisherurwa) called me in the night and first thing in the morning, I went there personally. I told Muwonge to come with me to record a statement but he refused and became very violent. I had to reinforce myself with more personnel for his arrest.”

Muwonge will appear before court today. Neither the press nor his family members (mother and two brothers) were allowed to see Muwonge.

Restless
Even Fufa officials were denied access to him. “The federation is restless because we need Muwonge in the Cranes camp before Thursday,” Fufa technical director Asuman Lubowa said. “We’re trying to get in touch with the accuser (Bisherurwa) to have this settled before it goes further and if released, he will go through psychological checks before rejoining the team,” he added.

If Muwonge fails in his bid to be granted freedom, Cranes coach Bobby Williamson will be left with only SC Villa’s Robert Odongkara and Express’ Godfrey Wakabu as replacements as the team travels to Bujumbura on Friday. Fufa publicist Rogers Mulindwa said they were doing everything possible to arrest the situation.

Efforts to get a comment from Bisherurwa were futile as his mobile phone was off air. Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba declined to comment on the matter.