KAMPALA – The political aspirations of National Unity Platform (NUP) deputy party spokesman, Waiswa Mufumbiro, have been thrown into disarray following his arrest and subsequent remand on what are being described as political charges.
According to reports, the state intends to keep Mufumbiro incarcerated for a minimum of three years, a move that would see him miss the critical nomination exercise for the Nakawa East Parliamentary seat, slated for next month in October.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through the NUP’s legal and political ranks. Party officials are reportedly in a state of panic, with the legal team being advised to form a robust defense coalition. Sources indicate plans are underway to bring on board prominent human rights lawyers including Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Eron Kiiza to challenge what the opposition decries as a strategy by the NRM government to jail its opponents.
In a desperate bid to salvage his candidacy, NUP is exploring a legal precedent set in 2006. The party is reportedly studying the tactics used by the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to successfully nominate Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye for presidency while he was detained in Luzira Prison on treason charges.
Before being remanded, Mufumbiro made startling allegations from the courtroom, claiming his arrest was a meticulously planned operation. He directly accused his political rival, Hon. Michael Kabaziguruka, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Nakawa East, of orchestrating and financing the charges.
The accusation adds a layer of deep irony to the case. Kabaziguruka, who has himself expressed interest in contesting again, is no stranger to legal battles. His previous term in Parliament was largely overshadowed by time spent in court and prison, also facing political charges.
This development sets the stage for a highly charged and litigious political battle in Nakawa East, with the freedom to campaign becoming the latest front in the contest.
