Police in Gulu have said they are holding the Uganda people’s Congress party’s National Deputy Secretary for Mobilization Dan Oola Odiya contrary to widespread rumours that he had been kidnapped Wednesday evening.
Oola who is also the UPC spokesperson[Otunnu faction] for Acholi sub-region was reported to have been abducted by unknown gunmen along Coronation Road at about 8 pm in Gulu Municipality as he headed home.
Aswa Regional Police Spokesperson, Jimmy Patrick Okema told Acholi Times in an interview on Thursday that Odiya was arrested by police on an undisclosed ‘‘sensitive’’ crime(s) from highly placed intelligence.
Okema said Odiya is being detained at Gulu Central Police station where he is being interrogated in connection to the alleged serious crime(s). Okema added that he could not disclose reasons why Odiya was arrested citing sensitivity of the matter.
The police spokesman said the public will be informed at an appropriate time after investigations are complete adding that the public should not panic since Odiya is safe in police custody.
The outgoing UPC party president Olara Otunnu demanded for the unconditional release of Odiya on the sidelines of a meeting of Acholi leaders at St Monica Girl’s tailoring school in Gulu town.
Otunnu said Ministry of internal affairs and the inspector general of police Gen Kale Kayihura should issue statements on the fate of Odiya.
When asked whether the alleged abduction was politically motivated, Otunnu declined to comment.
Odiya’s arrest comes barely a day after police in Kampala arrested and detained the Member of Parliament for Nakawa Division Michael Andrew Kabaziguruka of FDC party on unclear charges at the Special Investigations Division Kireka.
According to a press statement issued yesterday by Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, the legislator was arrested on a very sensitive matter that could not be divulged to the public.
He said Kabaziguruka was helping the police with investigations into the matter.
Last month, Simon Toolit, a former contestant in the Omoro County parliamentary race in Gulu district went missing from his home in African Quarters in Pece Division after he was reportedly abducted by three unknown gunmen.
Toolit a rival to Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah was reportedly abducted from his home in African Quarters Pece Division on May 25 by three unknown gunmen who whisked him to unknown location.
He later surfaced in Kampala city three days later where he recorded a statement at Kira road Police station before suing Oulanyah over alleged involvement in his kidnap.
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The government is busy threatening opposition leaders with abductions. Everyone charged with treason…