Police say they are holding a one Onzima Geofrey alias High Power on allegations of attacking and assaulting controversial, outspoken NRM activist Ivan Kamuntu Majambere in October last year during the burial of the late Suleiman Jakana Nadduli, a social media activist and government critic.
Onzima is one of the bodyguards of former National Unity Platform (NUP) Presidential Candidate, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine.
The violent scenes that involved several section of Opposition and the ruling NRM supporters, also saw various people injured.
The suspects, according to police, had since gone into hiding in Nairobi, Kenya but Onzima later one returned and hid in one of the places in Nansana where he was arrested.
“On February 7, 2023, our Criminal Investigations Directorate task teams arrested, a one Onzima Geofrey alias “High Power”, who was on our wanted list for causing Grievous Harm, to Majambere Kamuntu, whom he together with others, viciously attacked on the 24.10.2022 during the burial of the late Jakan Suleiman, at Kadunda village in Nakaseke District,” Fred Enanga, Police Spokesman said on Wednesday.
“The suspects went into hiding in Nairobi, but Onzima was tracked down upon his return and arrested from another hide out in Nansana. He is set to appear in court on sanctioned charges as a serious manhunt for his accomplices continues,” he added.
Bobi Wine, in a tweet condemned the arrest, refering to it a violent and illegal.
“Comrade Ongima Geoffrey aka Tower is the latest victim of violent abductions. Armed thugs dressed casually attacked him in Nansana, fired bullets and took him away in a ‘drone’. Not clear if he wasn’t shot. It will take the effort of WE THE PEOPLE- to put an end to this madness,” Bobi Wine said.
It should be recalled that a day after the incident, Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) asked police to carry out investigations into the matter and the culprits brought to book.
“The Commission condemns the incident which not only disrupted the burial ceremony, but also infringed on the rights of the family and others present to mourn their loved one in peace. We further condemn such acts of intolerance among the citizens and call for respect for divergent views,” read part of the UHRC statement signed by the UHRC chairperson, Mariam Wangadya.
According to Ms Wangadya, such acts of hooliganism are “undoubtedly characteristic” of the abhorred incidents of mob action, which if left unchecked could escalate into lawlessness.
“The Commission has severally voiced concerns on incidents of mob action because of their negative effects on the enjoyment of human rights. Mob action infringes on the victim’s right to presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent Court. It also results into acts of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and many times results into loss of life which has far reaching consequences on the families of victims,” Wangadya added.
She called on law enforcement agencies to carry out expeditious investigations into the incident, “with a view to apprehending and charging those who perpetrated the violence. Police should also strengthen its community policing and neighbourhood watch programmes across the country in order to forestall acts of criminality like the one in question, from the communities.”