By
Gloria Nakiyimba
Uganda’s President Yoweri Kagutta Museveni has spoken out for the first time on the arrest of his former Chief spy General David Sejusa staing that he called for it. Museveni pointed out that when one breaks the law, he or she calls for his or her arrest and that Gen. Sejusa called his own arrest.
“My brother Sejusa arrested himself. Nobody has the power to order an arrest but if you break the law, then you call for an order of arrest for yourself. If you are a trouble maker, why should the Army offload the trouble maker in society? He should go for discipline. We should not offload impurity onto society,” said the President.
The president was addressing the media at his country home in Rwakitura on Friday; the president noted that the Army cannot offload a trouble maker to the society without being disciplined.
David Sejusa, also known as Tinyefuuza, was arrested last week and later remanded to Luzira maximum prison on six charges.
These include absence without leave contrary to section 41 of the Uganda People’s Defence Force Act 2015. The Prosecution alleges that on 30th April 2013, Sejusa, who was the army representative in parliament, flouted a three week leave of absence that had been granted to him by the Speaker of parliament.
He is also charged with two counts of participating in political activities, contrary to section 16 of the Political Parties and Organizations’ Act 2005.
The Prosecution alleges that Sejusa addressed FDC supporters at Nakivubo stadium and campaigned for support for the Forum for Democratic Change, FDC Presidential candidate Dr. Warren Kifeefe Kizza Besigye.
He committed the alleged offence on 4th November 2015, the day when Dr. Besigye was nominated as FDC presidential flag bearer for the 2016 presidential race by the Electoral commission. The second count is premised on the address he made while meeting members of the opposition Democratic Party, DP still in November last year.
Another charge against him is insubordinate behavior contrary to the UPDF ACT. According to the charge sheet, Sejusa addressed political rallies in Kabale in south western Uganda and in the West Nile district of Arua, despite having been warned by the Chief of Defence Forces against conduct in violation of the UPDF Act.
He also faces two counts of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline expected from an army officer contrary to the UPDF Act, when he appeared on a local FM radio talk show and made statements without authorization from the army.
However General Sejusa has taken his battles to the High Court challenging his trial in a military court martial, which has been set for the 5th of April to hear the matter.
Sejusa wants all criminal proceedings to be heard by the military court until a case in which he is suing the army promotions board and commission for refusing to retire him is heard and disposed of by the high court.
His lawyers have also filed an application before the Makindye General Court Martial seeking his temporary release.
His lead counsel David Mushabe says the chairman of the General Court Martial Maj.Gen. Levi Karuhanga has already been served a copy.
In his application Sejusa cites advanced age; he is 61 years old, and that he sustained injuries from the 1986 bush war which ushered president Museveni in Power, that requires specialized care.
Gen. Sejusa returns to Court on Tuesday 9th February for hearing of his bail application.
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