70-Year Old Faces Treason Charges In Uganda

A man in his 70s has been arrested in Uganda and faces charges of treason relating to an incident last year in which the presidential motorcade was stoned.

The incident took place just ahead of the by-election in Arua in August 2018, as the campaign period drew to a close. Following the incident the driver of opposition MP Robert Kyagulanyi was found dead and Kyagulanyi himself, also known as musician Bobi Wine, detained and charged with treason.

The suspect, Mr Omar Risasi Amabua was arrested in Arua Town this week, with police taking his statement before transferring him to Gulu.

Commenting on the arrest West Nile Regional Police Commander Christopher Barugahare stated, “We arrested him because he was implicated in last year’s fracas where the President’s car was stoned.”

Area MP Kassiano Wadri has described the man’s arrest as madness and a witch-hunt, claiming that Mr Ambabua had been guarding the seats and podium for his rally.