KAMPALA – The eight escorts of Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde who were withdrawn from his home and offices about two weeks ago have been arrested, PML Daily has learnt.
The guards, who were guarding the former Security minister’s city residence in Kololo, his office on Impala Avenue, also in Kololo, and his village home, were arrested on Friday, March 6, 2020, by the Chieftaincy of the Military Intelligence (CMI), according to security sources.
The group had been recalled a week earlier. Tumukunde confirmed the arrest in an interview with the State-owned newspaper, New Vision, on Friday. ”I have learnt that my escorts, who were earlier summoned to CMI headquarters in Mbuya, have been arrested,” he is quoted by New Vision as saying without giving details.
However, the Defence and Army spokesman, Brig Richard Karemire, denied the arrests in an interview with this website, calling our story our own creation.
The move comes less than a week after Lt Gen Tumukunde declared his intention to challenge President Museveni for State House in 2021.
Lt Gen Tumukunde then wrote to the Electoral Commission (EC), indicating his intention to stand for president in 2021 and that he is set to start nationwide consultations about his bid. The EC has set presidential nominations for October 1, and 2 2020.
Lt Gen Tumukunde, also a former fighter in the five-year Bush War that brought Mr Museveni to power in 1986, has previously criticised or disagreed with the latter, which cost him his freedom and was prosecuted in the military court.
In 2005, Lt Gen Tumukunde was charged with abuse of office and spreading harmful propaganda contrary to the army code of conduct after he gave an interview to local FM radio stations Central Broadcasting Service and Radio One, telling President Museveni that his time was up and should retire.
