Prominent veteran political journalist who also doubles as the Jinja City Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Ahmed Kateregga Musaazi has narrated how his boss President Museveni was angered when incarcerated Constitutional Law Giant Ssalongo Erias Lukwago frustrated a secret deal he sealed with Winnie Byanyima on the release of opposition strongman Dr Kizza Besigye from prison.
Musaazi claims that days after Besigye’s criminal file was transferred from the military court to the Criminal Division of the High Court, Byanyima, the wife to Dr Besigye engaged President Museveni and accepted a deal to release Besigye who had just cancelled his hunger strike from prison.
He added that efforts to convince Museveni to release Besigye on bail involved top religious and opinion leaders from Rukungiri and the prisoner was briefed on the development and it is alleged he accepted the deal.
“The deal of releasing Besigye on bail was frustrated by Lukwago, because of his confidence in Besigye. He convinced him not to accept the deal on grounds that it was going to taint his political struggle against Museveni government because the deal had already leaked to public,” Musaazi said.
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He claims that Lukwago assured Besigye that State has no evidence against him and even assured him that he will be a hero when he is released through clear legal means without a political deal.
Ono Bwino can exclusively report that after the collapse of the said deal; Dr Besigye’s legal team was sharply divided with Mpanga accusing maverick lawyer Male Mabirizi of compromising Lukwago and Besigye’s highly trusted lawyer Bayan Turinawe on the agreed agenda of securing Besigye’s temporary release from prison.
“It is true, our legal team is sharply divided, these commercial lawyers are playing with this matter not knowing that its results will affect all of us in this political struggle against the Museveni government. Yes, Kalibbala accused me of being one of the people who is keeping doctor in prison but what I told him was simple, let doctor be released not through a political favour or political compromise from Museveni,” Mbabazi told this reporter few months back.
Byanyima also disclosed that she will never have a private meeting with President Museveni to discuss Besigye’s release.
However, Dr Chris Baryomunsi alleged that Museveni assigned him to lead the process but he was frustrated by a section of lawyers at the last hour and the deal collapsed.
Musaazi suspects that the collapse of the said deal might have greatly contributed to Lukwago’s arrest with security and other government agencies questioning what interest Lukwago has in frustrating Besigye’s criminal trial.
Musaazi was supported by Charles Rwomushana a former Internal Security Organization (ISO) operative who claims that the country is sitting on a time bomb and Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) is very scared that if nothing is done to contain opposition in Buganda, they may increase radicalism against government which may cause mayhem and instability.
“Do you remember Lukwago and late John Ssebaana Kizito demanding the investigation report on the murder of Dr Andrew Lutakome Kayiira! Kayira was a rebel leader of Uganda Freedom Movement who was killed under unclear circumstances, what if Lukwago wanted to revenge on Kayira’s death?” Rwomushana asked.
He asked political leaders through religious leaders to open up for reconciliation noting that without talks, Buganda will explode as it did in 1980. He divulged that security has marked Kampala, Wakiso, Mukono, Mpigi, Masaka districts as hotspots which could be breeding grounds for revolts against Museveni government.
He insists that the arresting of opposition political leaders and activists is still ongoing so that security gets the vital information it needs from them to help in fussing deadly agendas against Museveni government.
Medard Lubega Ssegona, one of the lawyers representing Lukwago claimed that the first thing the Special Forces Commandos did when they raided Lukwago’s home to arrest him was to confiscate his phone.
In detention, Ssegona said that Lukwago was humiliated to the extent of him being undressed, pictures of him naked were taken, he was dressed in National Resistance Movement (NRM) t-shirt with Museveni’s portrait and the message of protecting the gains while his tormentors were asking him to reveal Besigye’s secrets on overthrowing Museveni government and assassinating him and poisoning top government officials.
Lukwago was charged with mistreason of treason at Makindye Chief Magistrates Court and remanded to Luzira prison until 30th June when the presiding magistrate Sarah Anne Basemera will pronounce herself on his bail application he applied for
