Lukwago rearrested over illegal assembly

By Juliet Waiswa

The latest in a spate of arrests of prominent politicians Monday morning is that Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, his deputy Sulaiman Kidandala and Makindye Division Councillor Allan Ssewanyana are under arrest at Kampala Central Police Station.

The trio was arrested as they addressed an illegal rally at Namayiba Bus terminal shortly before 1.00pm. Lukwago had just been released by the Police after being cautioned following an early morning arrest at his home in Rubaga. 

Lukwago had tried to force his way out of his home, but was ordered out of his vehicle as he attempted to drive off into the City.

He had planned to tour the New Taxi Park where vendors were evicted last week for repair works. He was then slated to match through the City to City Hall to hold a peaceful demo with other councillors against the way KCCA is handling evictions around Kampala.

Police then confirmed on their twitter page that they had arrested Lukwago for disobeying lawful orders.

Masaka Municipality MP Mathias Mpuuga was also released after he was arrested early in the morning. Kampala Member of Parliament Muhammed Nsereko was also blocked from leaving home.

Lukwago condemned the manner in which Sarah Kizito was man-handled by KCCA enforcement officers last week during a demolition operation at Centenary Park.

Kizito is a co-owner of Nalongo Estates Limited that has a 10-year lease to manage Centenary Park.

Newspapers were awash with pictures of Kizito being roughed up like a thug when she tried to protest an ongoing demolition.

Drama escalated when trade and Industry Minister Amelia Kyambadde stormed the grounds to block the demolition exercise.

She attacked KCCA Executive Director Jeniffer Musisi saying she had no respect for hardworking Ugandans whose property the authority was destroying.

However, she was to later retract her statement after meeting Musisi at her office at City Hall saying she had been misled.

Musisi assured her the tenants had breached the contract with KCCA by encroaching on the Green Belt at Centenary Park.

She clarified that the Park was not supposed to have permanent structures constructed in it.

Premier Amama Mbabazi is slated to chair a meeting between Musisi and Kyambadde to sort things out following embarrassing scenes of the minister charging at enforcement officers.