Writer Kakwenza Released,Dropped At His Iganga Home

Ugandan writer Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has been dropped at his home in Iganga District by suspected to be a team of security operatives.

According to his wife Eva Basiima, Kakwenza was dumped at his gate in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

She said he was in a poor health condition and is receiving medication.

The Secretary-General of National Unity Platform (NUP), David Lewis Rubongoya, said he has spoken to Kakwenza after his release.

“Just spoken with our brother Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, who was released this morning after several weeks of illegal detention, torture, and other forms of harassment. His resolve and conviction are not shaken! We continue to demand the freedom of all prisoners of conscience,” he said.

This comes after the United States and the European Union called on the Uganda security agencies to respect the court order and release Kakwenza.

Kakwenza was re-arrested from Kitalya government prison and taken to an unknown destination moments after the Buganda Road Magistrate’s Court granted him bail.

In a statement, U.S. Ambassador to Uganda Natalie E. Brown said in democratic societies, rule of law and judicial independence must be respected, especially by security agencies.

“The USA is deeply concerned about reports that Kakwenza Rukirabashaija has again been detained by Ugandan security services following court ordered the release on bail,” she said.

“We call for the release of Kakwenza Rukirabashaija, consistent with the magistrate’s order. We also continue to monitor closely actions by individuals to undermine rule of law and democracy in Uganda,” she added.

Rukirabashaija was charged on January 11 with “disturbing” veteran President Yoweri Museveni and his powerful son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, in a series of unflattering Twitter posts.

He is accused of using his Twitter handle, @KakwenzaRukira to allegedly disturb the peace of President Yoweri Museveni together with his son Lt General Muhoozi Kainerugaba with no purpose for legitimate communication.(SN)

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