NRM youth official goes missing

MISSING PERSON

KAMPALA - The family of Enoch Buntu, NRM's National Youth League Treasurer, has raised fears over his disappearance.

Buntu, also confidant of former Inspector General of Police Gen. Edward Kale Kayihura, was reportedly picked by armed state operatives from his home in Mbalwa zone- Namugongo, Kira municipality.

His family members claim that he was taken to an unknown place and they have lost contact with him since the incident on July 9, 2018.

According to Buntu's brother, Emmanuel Kananura, operatives donning military uniform stormed the house around 5:00am in the morning.

He said that five of them entered the premises while two remained outside the gate.

He added that they immediately ordered Buntu to surrender all his phones, which he did.

"After taking Buntu's phones, they searched the house and later recorded serial numbers of all our phones. They confiscated vital documents and our photos before they forced him into a vehicle and drove away," Kananura recounted.

Buntu's brother explained that they are currently stranded in absence of his brother, who is their bread winner.

The vice-chairperson for Mbalwa Local Council (LC1), Patrick Kiviiri, said the operatives did not inform them about the operation, yet Buntu is their resident.

He pledged to follow this matter with the area Police in order to get clues concerning his where abouts.

"They were supposed to go through the right procedures such as identifying themselves and informing them about the operation," he said.

SSP Emilian Kayima, the Police spokesperson, said Buntu's family has not reported the case anywhere to give an opening into investigations.

He further advised that in such instances, family members and friends must immediately report the case to the nearby police station for easy follow up.

Brig Richard Karemire, the army spokesperson, said he was not aware of Buntu's arrest. He added that if they had him he would have been in the know.

Gaddafi Nassur, the NRM National Youth Chairperson, could not comment on the matter due to his busy schedule.

However, fellow Youth League leaders, who preferred anonymity fearing reprimand, said they were notified by Internal security operatives a week before Buntu was arrested.

They added that they also lost contact with him ever since he was arrested. They appealed to the state to produce him in court if he has a case to answer.

"Buntu was Kayihura's confidant and security knows better why and where they took him. But at this point, we cannot say much," one of the administrators said.

He said that a meeting to discuss the matter is underway, adding that they will avail it to the media and post it on their twitter handle.

A similar incident happened on Friday last week when Stanley Ndawula, a senior journalist, was taken by ISO operatives.

He was picked from Yaya lounge, a bar in Bukoto, but he was released two days later.