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It has been gathered that hospitalized Ugandan Legislator, Francis Zaake was barred by Military Police Men from flying out of the country to seek medical attention in India. The legislator has been hospitalized in a Ugandan Medical facility after sustaining injuries as a result of military detention two weeks ago.
According to reports, Francis Zaake and two other Legislators - Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine and Paul Mwiru were injured during their arrests and detentions following clashes between opposition supporters and president Yoweri Museveni’s convoy in the West Nile town of Arua.
James Ruhweza, who is head of security at the Entebbe airport, from where Zaaki's flight was suppose to take off said he received orders to stop Zaaki from checking in but to order transportation of the legislator to Mulago hospital.
Government spokesperson, Ofwono Opondo had earlier said on Twitter that Zaake should be arrested, arguing that he could be making an attempt to escape from justice.
‘‘Mityana municipality MP Francis Zaake is a suspect on the run who disappeared from lawful police custody in Arua and should be arrested at the earliest,’‘ read Opondo’s tweet.
Zaake, has been hospitalized at Rubaga Hospital in Kampala for over two weeks, while Bobi Wine whose detention sparked protests in Uganda and abroad has also since been granted bail to allow him get medical attention.
Confirming the situation, Asuman Basalirwa, one of Zaake’s lawyers told reporters that police at Entebbe International Airport had insisted that they need clearance from police before they could travel.
‘‘We informed him that we are not aware that the Hon Francis Zaake is wanted by police or court. But even if he was wanted, his condition cannot allow him to either go to police or court,” Basalirwa added.
Meanwhile, a statement from Uganda police Department says the legislator was apprehended as he was ‘trying to flee then country’.
The police say Zaake will be taken to the National Hospital, Mulago Hospital, where he will be attended by government doctors, ‘while under police custody as earlier intended’.
‘‘He will be produced before court at an appropriate time,’‘ concludes the statement which indicates that Zaake could be charged with treason, assault and malicious damage of property.
You will recall that the arrests and alleged torture of the Legislators sparked protests all over the country and received global condemnations.
Ugandan Police also claims that Zaake who has been on life support most of the time since his arrest two weeks ago, escaped from custody.
How a man on life support and military supervision as reported can escape custody remains a question in need of answers.
Is there more than meets the eye?
