Youths under the political umbrella of the United Forces (NUP, FDC, DP, JEEMA) of Change Activists have attacked National Unity Platform (NUP) party president Robert Kyagulanyi and Secretary General David Louis Rubongoya for using and dumping them to rot in Luzira prison.
While addressing the press on Wednesday afternoon at Katonga Road PFT offices, activists led by Robert Mayanja of FDC, Habib Buwembo, and Luta Ferdinard accused NUP leaders of deception and being selfish for not helping to secure bail funds for eight youths who were arrested during the illegal protest over Karamoja iron sheets investigations.
“NUP leaders, alongside other politicians, organized the street protests against the iron sheets saga; they promised to fund all these youths and pay for their allowances and bail money in case they were arrested. It shocks us that up to now Bobiwine and Rubongoya have left these helpless young men to suffer in prisons”, Mayanja lamented.
Buwembo said that one of the suspects, Augustine Batanda, lost his mother, but they were surprised that NUP leaders, who were the organizers of the illegal protest that got him arrested, did not send any assistance to the burial.
“Batanda’s child is so sick, even after losing his mother a few days ago. NUP, which promised to fund them, has neglected them. This is a betrayal of our struggle and the forces of change”, he noted.
The activists revealed that the remanded youth regret spending 32 days in prison, and those who coached and promised to fund them to illegally protest have neglected them by refusing to support their struggle to secure bail by providing the required finances.
Fernand Luta, who was arrested at parliament on April 6, 2023, protesting with piglets, accused top NUP politicians of masterminding several city protests.
“When I was in prison, Bobiwine, who had promised to come for our rescue, didn’t show up or send his emissaries, but before the incident in the meeting, he was promising us support. I struggled on my own to get bail. If these guys can neglect guys in struggle, then what will they do when they get power”, he questioned.
Luta advised youth that those who don’t have bail money should not participate in riots because they will rot in prisons after being misled by NUP leaders.
On Tuesday, May 2, the Buganda Road Chief Magistrate’s Court further remanded to Luzira Prison eight (08) activists who were arrested over holding an illegal demonstration and assaulting a senior police officer.
The eight suspects, including Moses Bukenya, Nelson Ndyasiima, Sanyu Najjuma, Sharif Kawooya, Augustine Batanda, Gilbert Nayebare, Shafia Ssegawa, and Teddy Ssemakula, were arraigned before court and charged with assaulting a police officer in the execution of her duty.
They appeared before grade one magistrate Asuman Muhumuza and denied the charge.
When the case came up for mention and bail hearing, Grade One Magistrate Sienna Owomugisha further remanded the accused persons until May 14, 2023, because the accused persons had failed to raise money for bail and sureties.
