The National Unity Platform (NUP) has today extended condolences to the family of Bewatte Betungura, the 27-year-old student who passed away last week after being stabbed with a broken bottle during a scuffle between NUP and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) students at Makerere University.
At the time of his death, Betungura, a law student at Uganda Christian University (UCU) had gone to show solidarity with his Mbarara High School Old Boy and FDC Guild Presidential Flag Bearer, Justus Tukamushaba.
NUP through the Shadow Information Minister Joyce Bagala today expressed regrets about the incident.
“First of all as the Opposition in Parliament, as the Shadow Cabinet we would like to send our condolences to the family of the Student of UCU who died in Makerere during campaigns. It is very unfortunate and regrettable and we condole with the family,” Bagala said.
“Obviously when death happens, it is bad, it saddens, it enlists emotions and that is very understandable. But that is a matter that is under investigation and I wouldn’t dwell so much on a matter that is going through investigations where a member of my own party and the shadow cabinet has been arrested,” she added.
Following the incident, Police arrested and detained Shadow Youth Minister and Kassanda MP Frank Kabuye.
Kabuye who was one of the lead campaigners of NUPs Lawrence Alionzi.
“We don’t have details on the charges but we have information that he is at CPS. And the Honourable Kabuye has been visited by a number of MPs including Zaake Francis (Mityana Municipality), Allan Ssebunya, Flavia Kalule.” Bagala said.
As such, Bagala and Patrick Nsanja (Ntenjeru South MP) called for speedy and transparent investigations into the matter.
“Once the suspect is arrested, they should be produced in court within 48 hours. The Honourable member was arrested on Thursday up to today, he is not charged and to date he has not been produced in court. This is unfortunate and violates provision in the constitution,” Nsanja noted.
