Human Rights Activists Condemn Bobi Wine Bodyguard Murder

By Annet Ntambi

Human rights defenders in Uganda have condemned the alleged murder of Francis Senteza Kalibala, a private bodyguard of National Unity Platform (NUP) supremo and presidential candidate. Frank was killed yesterday in a freak accident. However, in a statement issued yesterday, the opposition political party pointed the accusing finger for Frank’s murder at the Uganda security forces.

Speaking to this publication, NUP spokesperson, Joel Senyonyi, said Ssenteza was knocked dead by a military-police truck, no. H4DF 2382 at Busega, in Kampala’s Lubaga division.

According to Senyonyi, the grisly incident happened as Kyagulanyi and his team rushed journalist Ashraf Kasirye to Kampala City centre to get medical attention.

Kasirye, a reporter with Ghetto Media, was among the many journalists who earlier in the day had been injured as police dispersed NUP presidential candidate Bobi Wine’s supporters in Masaka.

Reports indicated that during the skirmishes that ensued, Kasirye was shot in the head, while NTV reporter Ali Mivule was hit by a tear gas canister in the leg. Other injured scribes included Daniel Lutaaya who fell off a bodaboda which was carrying him during the Masaka scuffles. .

Activists call for action

While addressing the media today, Livingstone Sewanyana, the Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI), decried the rogue actions of the security forces, saying they cause fear and tension within the population.

He urged the government to walk the talk of the restoration of democratic governance in the country, which he said is built on Ugandans having divergent political views and shades.

“The constitution opens the space for political parties to operate unlike before when everyone was under the movement system. There is no reason therefore why politicians from other political parties should be attacked; moreover while campaigning,” Sewanyana said.

While commenting on the matter, however, the army through the UPDF spokesperson Brig. Gen Flavia Byekwaso denied killing Senteza, saying he died as he tried to jump onto a fast moving vehicle.

“UPDF would like to clarify that the late Senteza Frank a NUP candidate close protection person was not knocked by a Military Police Vehicle as purported, but rather fell off a speeding Car Reg No UBF 850z (Drone) he tried to jump to but fell off,” Byekwaso said.

Not first time

It is worth remembering that is not the fisrt incident involving the controversial death of a Bobi Wine supporter.

In August last year (2019), Bobi Wine accused the security forces of being responsible for the death of his supporter called Zigy Wine. Zigy’s body was found dumped outside a hospital in Kampala. Police attributed the death to an accident. However, Mr. Kyagulanyi disputed the claims, saying Zigy, an upcoming musician was first abducted before his body was found missing two fingers and an eye. He hence decried the abduction, torture and murder of his supporters at the hand of state functionaries in a bid to scare them from supporting him against his quest to dislodge President Yoweri Museveni who many have termed as a dictator.