Presidential Contender Charles Rwomushana Arrested After NBS TV Talkshow

BY PATRICK JARAMOGI

KAMPALA, Uganda|SHIFTMEDIA| Police is holding controversial political and security commentator, Charles Rwomushana.

The 2021 Presidential candidate was arrested as he left NBS TV studios in Kamwokya, Kampala last night after a political Talk Show (Barometer). Barometer aires every Tuesdays.

Rwomushana’s arrest comes just days after the government warned that perpetrators of tribalism will be arrested.

Government spokesman Ofwono Opondo told journalists in Kampala on Monday that the promoters of tribal sentiments are not aware of what it can do to the country’s stability.

“This primitive talk of tribalism is being promoted by the opposition wanting to paint a bad picture about this government. We understand that we are in a political season but we shall not allow people to preach hate and discrimination on tribal lines. The long arm of the law shall squeeze those who think are big-headed,” Ofwono Opondo said.

According to top security sources Rwomushana who was in the talkshow with Mukono Municipality Member of Parliament Betty Bakireke Nambooze, Kabula County MP James Kakooza, Kira Municipality MP Ssemujju Ibrahim Nganda and National Unity Party Member Fred Nyanzi was briefly quizzed at Kira Road Police station before he was released. Kakooza and Nambooze were released after a short interrogation. But Ssemujju and Nyanzi had to spend a night at the NBS studios. Police camped outside the NBS entrance until 6 am on Wednesday morning when they left.

His arrest comes just days after police arrested four comedians who call themselves Bizonto (the deranged) for allegedly inciting tribalism. The Bizonto were released unconditionally on Monday afternoon along with local kadongo kamu singer Gerald Kiwewa.

The controversial former intelligence operative who declared his intention to stand for presidency in June is known for his scathing attacks on the government.

Who is Rwomushana?

Rwomushana served in the Constituent Assembly (CA) as the representative for Rujumbura County in Rukungiri District and participated in the drafting of the 1995 constitution.

He is also a former Guild President of Makerere University. He once served as Resident District Commissioner for Pader district and Head of Economics and Research at Internal Security Organisation (ISO) and it is because of his remarks for and against the current government that many have christened him as being controversial.

Charles Rwomushana, who was fired from State House, and suspended from the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) over alleged indiscipline.

When aged six years, Rwomushana recalls mobilising about 100 very young boys about his age and training them in military formation. At the age of six, he says, he was the leader of the young boy’s group, “very organised and never threatened by external forces”.

He went to Bugangari Primary School, later joined Bugangari Secondary School, Mbarara High School

before joining Makerere University where he was elected as Guild President. His political ambitions kept growing prompting him to contest for the Rujumbura constituency in Rukungiri in the 1994 Constituent Assembly race.

President Museveni appointed him DRC for Pader district after which he was deployed back to State House.

Rwomushana is one of the many children of Winnie Safira Tumubwine and Joseph Rwakinwa (RIP) of Rukungiri district.