Kamuli boss detained over using govt car in politics

ELECTIONS |

A scuffle erupted on Tuesday as the Police in Kamuli intercepted the district chairperson, accusing him of using a goverment vehicle in political activities. 

Thomas Kategere was arrested and locked in the District Police Commander's office for at least three hours, until a meeting was held between him and the security officers.

The District Police Commander, Ahmed Madiri, said Kategere was intercepted while leading a procession, which is against the guidelines given in the fight against COVID-19.

Kategere was picked from a procession accompanying Baroda Kayanga Watongola after the latter's nominations on Tuesday. Kayanga's nomination follows the death of her mother, Hajat Rehema Watongola, recently.

However, Kategere blamed his detention on an ‘invisible force' to whose tune, he said, the Police dance.

"I was violently held, but this is an invisible force at play; we shall fight until the end," he said. Kategere revealed that whereas he is a strong National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporter, he will support a Forum for Democratic Change candidate against an NRM one for strategic reasons.

Although he did not clarify his statements, some residents said Kategere might be supporting Salaamu Musumba, who is battling Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga for the Kamuli Woman MP seat.

"During a byelection for the district LC5 seat in 2012, NRM people in Kamuli supported Forum for Democratic Change Musumba against me," Kategere said, adding that Musumba is still the same and the reason for which she was voted still stands.