Police has dismissed allegations that it has been involved in the kidnapping of National Unity Platform (NUP) members, insisting that the actions were lawful arrests.
While addressing journalists on Monday at Police Headquarters in Naguru, Police spokesperson Kituuma Rusoke emphasized that these claims are unfounded.
“Since the inception of the police in 1906, we have been carrying out arrests, and it is well within our mandate. If we were to go by what some NUP politicians are insinuating, it would mean every person who goes through police custody is an abductee,” Rusoke said.
He added that politicians often seek to gain political mileage from such incidents.
“We know politicians and how they want to accrue political capital out of every small thing,” he said.
According to Rusoke, the 10 NUP members arrested were involved in unlawful drilling activities at their offices in Kavule.
Nine of the suspects, including the party’s deputy spokesperson Waiswa Mufumbiro, have already appeared in court, while one female suspect is set to appear shortly.
“These people were arrested and arraigned in court, not kidnapped. The offence of unlawful drilling is clearly outlined in the Penal Code. Some of those politicians speaking went to parliament for five years and never challenged it, but they want to challenge it using bloggers. It is not acceptable,” he said.
Rusoke further clarified that police have discretion in summoning or arresting individuals.
“It is not for you to tell us how to arrest you. You cannot commit an offence and dictate how we arrest you. Arrests are done in accordance with the law,” he said.
He warned that as investigations continue, more arrests could follow. “More will be arrested,” he assured.
In recent weeks, several NUP members were picked up by security agencies, prompting the opposition party to accuse authorities of abductions.
The police statement comes amid calls from some sections of the public for authorities to summon NUP members instead of conducting home raids, but Rusoke insisted that the method of arrest is entirely at the discretion of the police.
