The councillor for Kyangwali sub-county in Kikuube district, Nestole Tumwesigye, has been arrested as he allegedly attempted to assault Works and Transport State Minister, Fred Byamukama. 

The attempt happened during a Parish Development Model (PDM) sensitisation meeting at Kikuube district headquarters on Wednesday. 

The meeting was delayed by over 20 minutes due to the absence of parish chiefs, community development officers and town clerks among others. 

The minister ordered Chief Administrative Officer, Andrew Milton Chelangat Kamalingin, to invite all those officers to the meeting since they are part of the implementers of PDM. 

Shortly, after the officers arrived, Byamukama started the meeting by interrogating the parish chiefs who were accused of extorting PDM beneficiaries.  

Tumwesigye is taken to Kikuube Police Station by a security operative after the minister ordered his arrest. Photo by Peter Abaanabasazi

The queries started after Kikuube Resident District Commissioner, Amlan Tumusiime, presented receipts of payment by PDM groups signed by parish chiefs to Byamukama. 

Drama ensues

Byamukama ordered the Police to arrest the accused parish chiefs, but Tumwesigye, speaking at the top of his voice, stood up and demanded that the minister not arrest the suspects before giving them a chance to defend themselves. 

When Byamukama insisted that the suspects be taken to Police cells, Tumwesigye allegedly told the minister that he risked being beaten. 

Byamukama drew closer to the councillor and asked him to explain what his problem was, but Tumwesigye failed to explain. 

The state minister ordered the arrest of the councillor and be taken for a medical check-up to ascertain his mental status before charging him. 

Tumwesigye was still in Police custody by press time.