Another FDC man jailed on treason
By Lominda Afedraru & Lydia Mukisa
Dec 17, 2004
KAMPALA � Rukungiri District Speaker, Mr George Tumwesigye Owakukiroru, and four others were yesterday charged with treason and concealment of treasonable activities.
Owakukiroru was the Rukungiri district chairman for the opposition Forum for Democratic Change headed by exiled Col. Dr Kizza Besigye.
Owakukiroru was jointly charged with Mr Justus Namanya, a businessman from Kyabugimbi sub-county in Bushenyi district, Mr Yahaya Amir Asega, a businessman from Koboko, Mr Idd Ahamed Yunus, a peasant from Yumbe district and Mr Abeli Kachano, an army veteran from Bushenyi.
They appeared before Buganda Road Chief Magistrate�s Court. They were remanded to Kigo Prison.
Owakukiroru was the Chairman of Elect Besigye Taskforce for Rukungiri district during the 2001 presidential elections.
He was arrested by the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) operatives inside Kenya on Tues day morning.
He was reportedly travelling to Nairobi for treatment.
He was arrested with his brother Mr Peter Atwongyeire, a councillor in the Rukungiri district council.
Atwongyeire was reportedly escorting Owakukiroru to Nairobi for the treatment.
But Atwongyeire, was not brought to court yesterday and his whereabouts and fate were still unknown by the time The Monitor went to press.
Another FDC mobiliser in Rukungiri, Mr Darius Tweyambe, who was arrested by CMI in Kampala on Tuesday, was also not brought to court. His whereabouts too were not established.
(L-R) George Owakukiroru, Abeli Kachano and Yahaya Amir Asega at the court (Photo by M. Odongkara) The presiding Magistrate Justin Atukwasa informed them they are entitled to bail, which is only grantable by the High Court.
They will re-appear in Buganda Road Court on December 21 for mention of the case pending completion of investigations.
Owakukiroru�s family members and other relatives, who filled the courtroom, looked on in sadness as prison warders led him into the court cells awaiting the Prisons bus to Kigo.
There was conspicuously no FDC leader in court.
The prosecution alleges that the accused in Kampala, Rukungiri, Yumbe, Nebbi, Arua districts and other places in Uganda plotted to overthrow the government by force of arms.
The prosecution further alleges they had been mobilising logistics for the People�s Redemption Army rebels, which the government says is headed by Besigye, former presidential candidate in 2001 elections.
The State also alleges that they knew treasonable acts were taking place between January and December this year, but they did not report them to relevant authorities.
About two weeks ago, CMI arrested nine people in Koboko who they alleged were PRA rebels.
They have also been charged with treason and remanded in Kigo prison.
The CMI said PRA had purchased over 400 guns and hidden them in various secret places in West Nile.
Besigye�s brother Joseph Musasizi was also recently remanded to Kigo on treason charges and alleged links with PRA.
The government says renegade UPDF officers Lt. Cols Samson Mande and Anthony Kyakabale, Col. Muzoora are PRA�s field commanders with Besigye as their leader. They have all denied the government claims.
The CMI has said they have recovered 100 sub-machine guns belonging to PRA from various villages in Andiga Hills in Koboko.
Owakukiroru has joined the nine suspects from Koboko including Capt. James Katabaazi and a senior revenue officer at Luggara Customs in Aru a, Mr Jackson Jurua, who were earlier remanded to Kigo on the same charges.
Meanwhile the acting chairman of the FDC National Youth League, Mr James Birungi Ozo, has condemned the arrests.
He said in a press statement yesterday that the arrest of FDC supporters can only be done by a �decaying regime�.
He said the government was trying to win public support by falsely alleging that FDC supporters are subversive.
�The recent arrest of Reform Agenda and now FDC members by CMI agents has now taken a new dimension. It has shifted from Co. Dr Besigye�s family members and is now targeting the entire membership of FDC,� he said.
�This is evidenced by the arrest of Owakukiroru and our fellow youth coordinator for Rukingiri, Mr Darius Tweyambe,� Ozo said.
He asked the government to desist from intimidation and victimisation of the opposition.
The Forum for Democratic Change spokesperson, Ms Beti Kamya, said in a statement on Wednesday: �This is the pre dictable wave of harassment, which is reigning in the country. Arrests should be made within the law.
� 2004 The Monitor Publications
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