The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has joined in the fight to secure the release of the embattled book author Kakwenza Rukirabashaija following his rearrest on Tuesday afternoon.
The novelist was re-arrested by armed security operatives dressed in plain clothes just hours after Buganda Road Court granted him a cash bail of 500,000 shillings.
Kakwenza was reportedly roughed up by the armed officers, bundled onto a tinted Double Cabin, before being whisked off to an unknown destination at around 2:30 pm. The operatives were driving a numberless car. Until now, no particular security organ has taken responsibility for his arrest.
FDC Deputy Spokesperson Harold Kaija while addressing the media at Katonga Road at the offices of Rtd Col Dr. Kiiza Besigye said the they will hold a peaceful protest to demand the release of Kakwenza if by close of business today he is not released.
His wife Eva Basiima attended the same media briefing with the couple’s three year old baby and a few relatives where she vowed to fight for the human rights of Kakwenza. She narrated with grief how she was the first at Kitalya Prison to witness the release of her husband but upon inquiring she was told that he had already been taken by unknown relatives.
Basima says she has patiently spent days waiting for his return and even had to drag along their baby all the way from Iganga to Kitalya just to welcome back her husband. She wants the President to release her husband.
Rukira who faces charges of offensive communication under section C/S 25 of the computer misuse act 2011 ,was first presented briefly in court on Tuesday, January 11 , in the absence of cameras and the public.
Kakwenza reportedly arrived at the Buganda road court at about 10 am on Tuesday morning in a tinted vehicle and was presented in court shortly before being read to the charges.
Presiding Magistrate Singiza charged Kakwenza with two counts of offensive communication, to which he pleaded “not guilty” before being remanded to Kitalya Prison.
Prosecution alleges that between December 26 and 28,2021 while in Kampala, Kakwenza willfully and repeatedly used his twitter handle to disturb the peace of his excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Lt Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba with no purpose of legitimate communication.
Kakwenza was arrested on December 28th 2021 from his home in Kisaasi, Nakawa Division after plain clothed officers armed with guns, driving in UBE 894M and UBH 163U broke into his home. He was taken into detention at the Crime Intelligence facility in Bukoto until Monday last week when he was escorted by security operatives to conduct a search at his home in Iganga.
Compiled by Rashidah Nakaayi and Zainab Ali
