Over 50 opposition party members arrest in Uganda
By Godfrey Olukya 24-10-2012
Over 50 members of the main opposition political party in Uganda, FDC, have been arrested by security agencies and detained in places not yet known by their relatives and party colleagues.
Party official claim that their party followers were illegally arrested by state security operatives. They are planning to start looking for them from detention places scattered in various parts of the country.
According to the spokesman of FDC, Philip Wafula Ogutu over 50 FDC members across the country were arrested in the last two weeks and taken to unknown places. The party is now considering mounting a vigorous search of it’s members from all detention places they know to have them released.
Ogutu said,’It is unfortunate that some of our party members have been arrested. The way they were arrested is similar to that of the state research bureau during Idi Amin’s era.
Idi Amin Dada was a dictator who ruled Uganda with an iron hand from 1972 to 1979. During his regime thousands of people were killed by his soldiers.
Amin was overthrown in 1979 by a joint force of fighters composed of Ugandan exiles, Tanzanian soldiers and troops from several African countries. Up to now his name is still on the list of the worst dictators in the world.
Ogutu also accused the president for re-appointing ministers facing corruption charges who also appear in the auditor general’s report which highlights the worries of nationals against keeping public finances with government departments.
‘My husband was arrested 12 days ago while at his friend’s place.’ said 40 yr old Damalie Aine whose husband is among those arrested.’ They brought him home and searched our house in his presence. They got some documents from the drawer which they claim were dangerous.Since then I have not seen him again.’ she added.
A ruling party cadre, Amos Mugisha attacked Ogutu for likening current regime with that of Amin.He said,’Our opposition members are not patriotic.They do not think before they talk. It is unfair to compare our government which is very democratic with that of Idi Amin which was autocratic.’
About over 50 FDC members being arrested he said that security agencies in the country had got reports that some FDC members were planning to overthrow the government. He said that some of those arrested were found with guns and grenades.
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