UPDF soldier arrested with Kagame guard held without trial

Cpl Abdukarim Mulindwa, has never recorded a statement and no charge has been brought against him, during his 34 days in detention.

Cpl Mulindwa was arrested in Kampala with Lt Joel Mutabazi, the former escort of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who was deported to Kigali last month and is now in jail on charges of terrorism and treason.

When this reporter visited Kira Division Police Station seeking to speak to the accused, the Divisional Commander, Mr Peter Nkulega, denied knowledge of the whereabouts of the suspect.

“We don’t have that case. I have to verify, but I don’t think we have that case,” Mr Nkulega said, and ordered: “Leave the station immediately and don’t talk to any junior officer about things they don’t know and cannot speak about.”

When Sunday Monitor called Mr Nkulega the following day after the time for verification had passed, he declined to comment on the subject.

“I have briefed Ibin Ssenkumbi and he told me he saw your calls but he is also not picking them. I am not ready to give you information on that subject. I am not even allowed to talk to the press.”

Indeed, Sunday Monitor’s repeated calls to Mr Ssenkumbi were not answered.

Police Spokesperson Judith Nabakooba too declined to comment on the matter and referred this reporter back to Mr Ssenkumbi.

However, some staff at Kira Division Police Station, who preferred to remain anonymous for fear of reprimand since they are not allowed to speak to the press, admitted Cpl that Cpl Mulindwa was in detention at the station.

His lawyer, Mr Ladislas Rwakafuzi, confirmed he had seen his client at the station.

“He is still there. I got the affidavit and he signed it in the cell. I personally spoke to him in the cell,” the lawyer said.

A family member also said Cpl Mulindwa was still in custody after visiting him at the station earlier.

“When Besigye was brought here, he was in the same cell with Cpl Mulindwa, they even talked. He is still there but these things are difficult,” a junior police officer said, in reference to the detention of former FDC president Kizza Besigye.

The Deputy Army Spokesman, Mr Robert Ngabirano, said Cpl Mulindwa is attached to Bombo barracks and a diploma student of computer studies in Kampala.

“He was last seen in October when he came to renew his movement order. If he was arresteddriving a fugitive, then he was in self-deployment,” he said, adding: “Let him swallow [pay the price) or tell the world what he was up to. As UPDF, we know he is a soldier upgrading his education and at school and the director of education is waiting for his report.”