Political analyst Rwomushana arrested in Kampala during a radio talk show
Charles Rwomushana, a former intelligence officer, was mentioned in Dr Kizza Besigye's indictment, but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has not formally preferred criminal charges against him.
Kituuma Rusoke, the Police Spokesperson. (File)
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Political commentator Charles Rwomushana was on Saturday (September 5) dragged off air by a group of military uniformed and plain-clothed men during a live talk show at Radio Simba in Bukoto, Kampala.
He was among the three guests on "Gasimbagane Ne Banna Mawulire," a Saturday political talk show hosted by veteran journalist Peter Kibazo.
Kituuma Rusoke, the Police Spokesperson, confirmed the incident without details.
“I am aware of the arrest, but I am yet to confirm the motive and the detention facility; then I will update the media in due course,” Kituuma said in our telephone with New Vision.
A security guard at the station, (name withheld), said a group of about six men arrived at the station arrived in two silver Toyota Noah vehicles at around 9:00am but left shortly afterwards.
She said two silver Toyota Noah vehicles then parked outside the station gate, from which about five men emerged, some carrying pistols while others carried bigger guns, before entering the premises without registering in the visitors’ book.
“As the boda man was still explaining to me the purpose of his visit, about six men, some in military uniform, opened the car doors and forcefully entered without uttering a word.
A few surrounded the building while others entered inside and dragged out one man whom I later learnt was Rwomushana,
Whereas they did not handcuff him, they deliberately led him to one of the cars,” the female guard said.
According to the guard, three of the men entered the studio where the live programme was being broadcast, while others took positions around the building.
“The men later emerged holding a light-skinned, tall man, whom we later identified as Charles Rwomushana,” she said.
Rwomushana is a regular panellist on a Saturday Mid-morning political talk show, Gasimbagane Ne Banna Mawulire, hosted by veteran journalist Peter Kibazo. The host was not picked, nor was fellow panellist Haruna Kanaabi.
Radio Simba confirmed Rwomushana’s arrest during its 12:00pm news bulletin, although details about the reason for his arrest were not immediately given.
The mood at the station remained tense following the 30-minute incident, with staff declining to speak to journalists about what had happened.
The circumstances surrounding Rwomushana’s arrest, including where he was taken and the reason for his detention, were not immediately clear by press time.
Charles Rwomushana, a former intelligence officer, was mentioned in Dr Kizza Besigye's indictment, but the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has not formally preferred criminal charges against him.