FDC’s Amuriat Charged with Disobeying Lawful Orders, Released on Shs 2 million Non-cash Bail

After spending hours in detention, Forum for Democratic Change’s presidential flag bearer Patrick Oboi Amuriat has this evening been released on a Shs 2 million non-cash bail.

It should be noted that Amuriat was intercepted by a joint security team that comprised of Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) and Police personnel at Omunkombe village on his way to a campaign meeting in Rubirizi District.

At the time of his arrest, he was in company of 3 vehicles having left other members at their resting camp.

According to a Police statement issued last night by Samson Kasasira, the Rwizi Region Police Spokesperson, the FDC President was apprehended for disobeying lawful orders on Wednesday while campaigning in Mbarara.

“The DPC of Mbarara SP Rutagiira John, in the process of stopping them, a scuffle ensued and motorcycle registration number UEX 650D that was carrying Hon Patrick Amuriat Oboi aka POA knocked the DPC to the ground though he didn’t sustain any serious injuries,” Kasasira stated.

He was later driven back to Mbarara Central Police Station (CPS) after a two hour standoff that ended at about 10:00 am.

Upon his arrival, Amuriat, who now was in the company of his entire entourage, declined to make a statement in the absence of his lawyers and at one time walked back to his car which was parked outside the police facility.

Police officers restrained themselves and opted to wait until he changed his mind. Thereafter, they took him into police cells and at 2:00 PM dragged him to court.

It is understood that this is the fourth time Amuriat is finding himself in Police cells following his arrest during the November 3, 2020 Presidential Nominations and the arrests in Kitgum and Gulu on the November 17 and 18 respectively.

Speaking minutes before Amuriat’s release, Roland Kaginda Mugume, the Party’s National Field Coordinator, intimated that they will begin where they stopped.

“For us, we were expected in Rubirizi in the morning and afternoon in Bushenyi. So right now we are just waiting for our candidate to be released and then we hit the road to Ishaka. The people are waiting for us, we cannot postpone this,” Kaginda retorted.