The National Unity Platform Deputy President for Western Uganda, Jacklyn Jolly Tukamushaba, has urged the government to prioritize service delivery rather than what she described as the continued silencing of opposition voices, following her release on bail from Ndorwa Government Prison.
Tukamushaba was on Thursday granted cash bail of Shs 1 million by the Kabale Chief Magistrate’s Court. Each of her four sureties was bonded at Shs 5 million non-cash. Addressing the Media shortly after regaining her freedom, Tukamushaba called on the government to focus on delivering essential services to citizens instead of arresting opposition leaders.
“Whether you incarcerate Jackie alone, it does not mean the people of Rukiga will have better medical services or improved education. The ideal would be for the government to serve its citizens,” she said.
She also expressed mixed emotions, saying she feels both relieved and deeply saddened by what she describes as violations of her rights.
Tukamushaba, who contested for the Rukiga District Woman Member of Parliament seat on the NUP ticket, claimed her electoral victory was interfered with and her reputation unfairly tarnished. Despite her arrest on the eve of polling, she garnered 3,195 votes. She lost to Sylvia Arinaitwe of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who secured 37,239 votes, while independent candidate Hellen Kobutesi Kworoba polled 888 votes.
“I am excited that I have been granted bail, but I am sad because I feel my rights were violated. I believe there was interference with my victory in the elections,” Tukamushaba said shortly after her release.
She alleged that on January 14, the eve of voting, she was abducted by armed security personnel from a hotel in Muhanga, where she had been preparing agents’ letters with her team. According to her account, masked men stormed the room at gunpoint, ordered her children to kneel, and took her to an unknown location.
“I was taken at night, and by the time we reached the place, it was morning. I was kept there for three weeks. I did not know where I was, but the people around were speaking Luganda, so I believe I was in Buganda,” she said.
Tukamushaba said although she was not physically tortured, she endured psychological distress during her detention. She was later transferred to CPS Kabale on February 6, where she was charged with inciting violence, allegations she strongly denies.
“They accused me of telling people to beat NRM supporters, which is not true. Some of my supporters even subscribe to NRM. Those who know me understand that I am not a violent person,” she said.
She described the charges as “trumped up” and expressed frustration over being required to pay one million shillings as cash bail, arguing that the case has caused her financial and personal loss.
Despite the ordeal, Tukamushaba thanked supporters who stood by her during what she termed a trying moment and reaffirmed her commitment to her political cause.
“The struggle continues. There is no rose without a thorn. We must stand and bear with the thorns,” she said.
CUE IN TUKAMUSHABA……ON THE MATTER……RR/ENG//
Meanwhile, the NUP Regional Coordinator for Western Uganda and former Mbarara City South parliamentary candidate, Bright Muhumuza, also alleged that his electoral victory was interfered with and his reputation unfairly damaged. He called for unity in diversity among Ugandans and an end to what he described as the silencing of opposition voices by the state.
CUE IN MUHUMUZA……ON THE MATTER……RR//
