Carry your cross, Police tells Otto
Jul 07, 2010
THE Police have asked Aruu County MP Odonga Otto, accused of drawing a gun at pump attendants at a fuel station in Kampala, not to politicise the matter. <br>The Police said claims by the FDC MP that he was being persecuted and that his life was under threat was diversionary.
By Joyce Namutebi and Steven Candia
THE Police have asked Aruu County MP Odonga Otto, accused of drawing a gun at pump attendants at a fuel station in Kampala, not to politicise the matter.
The Police said claims by the FDC MP that he was being persecuted and that his life was under threat was diversionary.
“He should defend himself against the crime, but should not politicise the matter,†Kampala South Police boss Moses Kafeero said when contacted on phone yesterday.
He added that the MP had not reported any threat to his life. Otto, at an earlier press conference in Kampala, reported that he is a victim of political persecution by NRM security operatives.
He accused the ruling party, NRM, of masterminding a plan to discredit influential politicians like him in Acholi region ahead of the 2011 general elections.
Otto said he had received calls in the last two days, urging him to join the NRM if he wanted his freedom.
He declined to divulge details to journalists, saying he would give the details to the Police chief.
Otto also said he received threats to his life on four separate occasions and had sought a meeting with the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, to provide him with security.
When contacted, NRM deputy spokesperson Ofwono Opondo said if Otto pulled a gun at people, he should not blame NRM for it.
“Let him answer for his offences.â€
More than 14 witnesses have made statements to the Police implicating Otto in threatening pump attendants in the wee hours of Monday.
THE Police have asked Aruu County MP Odonga Otto, accused of drawing a gun at pump attendants at a fuel station in Kampala, not to politicise the matter.
The Police said claims by the FDC MP that he was being persecuted and that his life was under threat was diversionary.
“He should defend himself against the crime, but should not politicise the matter,†Kampala South Police boss Moses Kafeero said when contacted on phone yesterday.
He added that the MP had not reported any threat to his life. Otto, at an earlier press conference in Kampala, reported that he is a victim of political persecution by NRM security operatives.
He accused the ruling party, NRM, of masterminding a plan to discredit influential politicians like him in Acholi region ahead of the 2011 general elections.
Otto said he had received calls in the last two days, urging him to join the NRM if he wanted his freedom.
He declined to divulge details to journalists, saying he would give the details to the Police chief.
Otto also said he received threats to his life on four separate occasions and had sought a meeting with the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, to provide him with security.
When contacted, NRM deputy spokesperson Ofwono Opondo said if Otto pulled a gun at people, he should not blame NRM for it.
“Let him answer for his offences.â€
More than 14 witnesses have made statements to the Police implicating Otto in threatening pump attendants in the wee hours of Monday.