The National Unity Platform party president, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine has urged Ugandans to pray for their troubled former president, Mr. Moses Nkonge Kibalama who is under state custody. “Let’s demand for Kibalama’s freedom as Ugandans. He is under heavy military custody,” Bobi told swipes of journalists. “He’s clearly under detention and he’s not expressing his free will. What he speaks is against his will. He was abducted by the UPDF and this is illegal,” Bobi added.
SEE ALSO: Court proceedings: Kibalama under high profile security, Bobi denied access
We have Kibalama, says UPDF
CDF David Muhoozi detained Kibalama in Mbale military facility
He also says he had a chance to speak to Kibalama while in court who unleashed the torturous affair he has underwent while in custody. Bobi says Kibalama confessed that some of his toe nails were plucked out by his captors. “I got a chance to talk to Kibalama who told me about the torture ordeal he and his old cabinet underwent. He told me some of his nails were plucked out and he could wish to show me but he couldn’t in court,” Bobi said.
Bobi adds that the doctored video was doen against Kibalama’s will. “He also says the video was done at gun point and against his will. This was evidenced in the body language in the video itself,” he says.
Bobi relates Kibalama’s ordeal to his own 2018 Arua byelection aftermath experience. He says this is a replica of what he faced a couple of years back. “I also faced the same while in Arua and Makindye military barracks. I told him to be strong,” Bobi said. “He’s been whisked away by the army which brought him to court. Kibalama is not free,” he added.
The 38 year old presidential contender issued a stern warning to Museveni whom he accuses of harassing and oppressing Ugandans using coercive measures. “I want to caution Museveni that he can do all he is doing buy he has to bear in mind that he is not the first. Gaddafi did it, Mugabe did it, and other dictators did it but they all finally failed. You will also fail,” Bobi says.
The court has been adjourned to October, 16 where the two sides are to receive the ruling of the court. Counsel Medard Sseggona says this is part of a quest for justice. “Freedom does not come on a silver plate. This is what we go through to attain freedom. You’ve seen the military all over court. That’s what a state under captivity feels like,” he says.
