adminKAMPALA (Uganda) — A military general who criticised Uganda’s longtime president was charged in a court-martial and remanded to jail, but his supporters say he is the victim of state persecution.
Gen David Sejusa was charged on Tuesday with being absent without leave, participating in political activities and insubordination.
A lawyer for Sejusa, David Mushabe, described Sejusa as “a prisoner of conscience” who has been targeted for calling President Yoweri Museveni a dictator.
Sejusa’s problems started in 2013, when he wrote a letter to the domestic spy chief urging him to investigate allegations of a plot to kill high-ranking government officials seen as being opposed to the political rise of Museveni’s son, Brig Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Kainerugaba is the commander of Uganda’s special forces, a position that puts him in charge of his father’s security. Many Ugandans believe Kainerugaba is being groomed to succeed his father, despite the president’s denial.
Facing likely arrest, Sejusa, who was travelling in Europe when details of his letter leaked, sought asylum in London. He quietly returned home in December 2014.
Sejusa’s supporters say he was arrested ahead of presidential elections this month because the government is worried he will mobilise Ugandans to protest in the event presidential elections are rigged.
“General Sejusa is fully aware that it will be the people of Uganda who will free him from bondage,” Free Uganda, a pro-democracy group, said.
In elections on February 18, Museveni faces four-time presidential challenger Kizza Besigye and former Prime Minister Amama Mbabazi, a former ally who now says Museveni must retire after ruling for three decades. – AFP
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi