Police summons Lwakataka over immature fish

By Steven Candia

The Police have summoned the hitherto celebrated but now embattled rally driver Ponsiano Lwakataka to explain himself in connection with an impounded haul of immature fish.

While police spokesperson Fred Enanga said Lwakataka had been summoned informally, the Kasese district Police boss Michael Musani said all police units had been alerted to arrest him.

“The regional police commander Rwenzori region talked to him on telephone and asked him to report to the station to explain himself in connection with an incident in which police seized immature fish which is a subject of investigation,” Enanga said.

Attempts to get comment from Lwakataka were futile as his known phone number was switched off.

In an earlier interview Musani told The New Vision that police in Kampala, like other parts of the country, had been alerted and directed to arrest Lwakataka wherever he is sighted.

The developments follow a Sunday evening incident in which the rally ace survived gunshots before his vehicle was intercepted by fisheries officers in Kasese district.

Enanga said the Police was also probing Lwakataka over the alleged misuse of a fire arm. “He used his pistol to fire at security personnel during the incident,” Enanga said.

According to police, Lwakataka was escorting the vehicle that was carrying immature fish to Mpondwe –Lhubiriha market.

A team of security personnel comprising fisheries officials and the army were forced to open fire following a high speed chase after Lwakataka allegedly declined to stop at a police check point. Lwakataka is said to have escaped unscathed.

Both the fish and Lwakataka's vehicle were impounded at Bwera Police Station.