KAMPALA – Mr Simpson Birungi, the proprietor of Movit Products Ltd has on Monday July 16 been set free unconditionally after 45 days in detention. Mr Burungi was being held the Internal Security Organisation, and efforts to move court to order his release had been hitherto ignored.
Popular events guru, Balaam Barugahare announced the release of Mr Birungi via a posting on his Facebook page:
“Our dear friend Simpson Akiiki the humble, polite and kind man, MD and Chairman Movit Group of Companies is out unconditionally … Special thanks to the authorities for clearing his name and image of any criminal charges. [The] 45 days plus of keeping him under lock was so painful and hurting but thank God, he is [now] free and the truth is known.”
Mr Birungi was on June 7, arrested by ISO operatives, who later handed him over to the police. He was detained at Kireka Special Investigations Directorate on alleged charges of murder of his former manager, Stephen Asaba, in 2010.
However, on June 11, Birungi’s family petitioned the High Court seeking for orders of a habeas corpus in an application filed against the Attorney General, the Director General ISO and the Inspector General of Police.
On Tuesday June 11, Justice Moses Ssekaana issued the order for ISO to release Mr Birungi unconditionally after government failed to turn up to court to explain the detention.
He was released on police bond and re-arrested by ISO. He has since been in custody, until Monday when he was released, and rejoined his Family.
Asaba was murdered and his body dumped in Nakawuka in Kajjansi Town Council, Wakiso District.
