Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, the Member of Parliament for Kyotera county and Pius Mujjuzi, the former area Member of Parliament have been accused of sabotaging investigations into the alleged murder of a journalist in Rakai.
Paul Kiggundu, a reporter with Top Radio based in Masaka was attacked and lynched by a mob while covering a riot at Nkenge village in Nabigasa Sub County in September 2010.
Kiggundu was attacked just as he strated reporting live about the rowdy eviction of a family by a businessman. The angry boda boda motorists who were hired to enforce the eviction turned their anger on Kiggundu and lynched him, accusing of trying to call up police to stop their mission of eviction.
Seven people mostly boda boda motorists were arrested in connection with the murder.
They were however reportedly released under unclear circumstances. The suspects include Gerald Buberwa, Godfrey Katumba, Joseph Lubega, Peter Kalaveri, Sunday Ibrahim, Siraje Kawoya and Siraje Mulelwa, all residents of Nkenge in Nabigasa Sub County, Rakai district.
Residents of Nabigasa and Kafunda village in Nabigasa Sub County in Rakai district have accused their area Member of Parliament Haruna Kasolo of Kyotera County and his predecessor Pius Mujuzi of ordering the release of the suspects allegedly because they were their voters.
The residents claim that the arrest of the seven men was used by the two politicians as apolitical tool at the height of the NRM primaries ahead of 2011 parliamentary election. Steven Kawuki the deceased’s brother claims that both MP Kasolo and former MP Mujjuzi secured bails for each one of their respective voters to return to their homes to vote for them.
Kawuki explains that the two politicians were also seen several times at Kalisizo prison where the suspects had been remanded and never returned to court.
Kawuki, says he was shocked to hear that the suspects were released.
Francis Kitto the LCI Secretary urged government to investigate the circumstances under which the suspects were released before trial. Kitto advised government to desist from sloppy way of handling criminal cases.
Kitto has ordered the inspector general of police, Kale Kayihura to intervene and have the suspects rearrested and tried.
The late Kiggundu’s wife Agatha Nalukwaata says the release of the suspects has denied justice to prevail.
Both MP Kasolo and Pious Mujjuzi have refused to comment on the matter. MP Kasolo refused to pick up his phone when contacted.
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