Ugandan security forces are holding a retired army general and presidential aspirant for allegedly urging a foreign government in the region to help oust President Yoweri Museveni from power.
Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde, a former spy chief and security minister under Museveni, faces treason charges stemming from his comments allegedly asking Rwanda “to support him in removing the current leadership with or without the ballot,” police said Friday.
Tumukunde was taken for questioning late Thursday after a group of police and the military conducted a search of his property in the capital, Kampala. Police in a statement Friday cited “the impact of the inflammatory and provocative rhetoric by the suspect” on the security forces as well as the public.
Tumukunde, who is yet to be formally charged in a courtroom, told an interviewer on March 4, “If I was Rwanda I would wish to support people who want to cause change in Uganda.” Tumukunde’s remarks came after he wrote to electoral authorities announcing his plan to run for president. Tumukunde’s lawyer told reporters Friday that the Rwanda comments were the basis for the treason charges.
Relations between Uganda and Rwanda have been tense in recent months as the two neighbors accuse each of aggressive behavior and the border remains closed. Rwanda insists rebels opposed to President Paul Kagame are getting support in Uganda, which in turn accuses Rwandan security agencies of operating unlawfully in the country.
Along with the pop star known as Bobi Wine, Tumukunde is among several Ugandans who have recently announced they would seek the presidency in elections set for 2021.
