Sisimuka Uganda executive director Frank Gashumba has praised ‘people power’ for pushing security agencies and government to release Victoria University vice chancellor Dr Lawrence Muganga.
Security agencies set Dr Muganga free after he spent one night in detention.
According to UPDF spokesperson Brig Flavia Byekwaso, Dr Muganga had been kidnapped for engaging in espionage acts and for illegal stay in Uganda.
But available identity papers showed Muganga was born and raised in Uganda.
On September 03, Muganga’s family and lawyers demanded the release of the Victoria University VC or his production in court.
Hours later, Muganga was released and welcomed by tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia’s son Rajiv and Abavandimwe Council leader Gashumba.
Both Gashumba and Muganga saluted ‘people power’ for its role in the release of the academic.
Gashumba praised media houses, the social media community and other Ugandans who condemned the kidnap of Muganga and called for his release.
“The power definitely belongs to the people, and none of this would have happened without all your efforts,” said Gashumba.
According to the Ugandan constitution, “All power belongs to the people who shall exercise their sovereignty in accordance with [the] Constitution.”
It was based on this article that singer-turned-politician Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine formed the People Power pressure group which later acquired the National Unity Platform (NUP), now Uganda’s main opposition party.
Also, main opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has severally urged Ugandans to exercise their power as granted by the Constitution.