Security agencies comb Kisekka Market for Bobi Wine protests’ ring leaders

Days after November 18 and 19 ‘Free Bobi Wine’ protests, police and sister agencies are still hunting for ring leaders, in various places in Kampala, including Kisekka Market.

In one of such operations carried out at the weekend, police picked up at least five people for stoking protests.

Last week, police revealed it had listed at least 300 ring leaders.

After quelling the protests, in which at least 45 people were killed (according to latest police figures released on November 23), security agencies say they want to now bring all perpetrators to book.

Hundreds were arrested in last week’s protests sparked off by the arrest of National Unity Platform (NUP) presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine in Luuka District.

On November 23, Police spokesperson Fred Enanga gave an update on the arrests.

“A total of 836 suspects were arrested, of whom 362 suspects were charged to court, including Hon Kyagulanyi Robert Ssentamu, 330 were remanded, 32 released on court bail, while 474 pending court today. 01 released on police bond (Hon. Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat), ” Enanga told reporters in Kampala.

Bobi Wine is now out on bail and has resumed his campaigns – and so have all opposition political leaders who had halted their meetings in solidarity with the singer-turned-politician and Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the candidate for main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) who had been arrested in the northern Uganda city of Gulu.

Those arrested in Kisekka Market on November 22 include: John Ddamulira, Ben Kazeeyi, Alvin Juma, and Robert Ssegujja. 

Ddamulira is an importer of spare parts. His arrest is likely linked to the supply of car tyres to protesters.

Patrick Onyango, the Spokesperson Kampala Metropolitan Police, alleges that the suspects were behind the riots on Wednesday and Thursday.

Security agencies generally agree that the arrests had been planned even before Bobi Wine’s arrest.

Both President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni and his security minister Gen Elly Tumwine insist foreign agents funded the protests.

Intelligence and security bosses have recommended beefing up of surveillance and other measures at key installations and deployment on major roads to avert more protests.

Outrage as Unra awards multi-billion road project deals to blacklisted Chinese firm CICO