The Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) has released Obed Katureebe, a worker of the Media Center, unconditionally having held him incommunicado for over two months.
It is alleged that Mr Katureebe was arrested in connection with operating a social media account- Gakwekere- that has over the years been critical of President Paul Kagame and Rwanda government.
However, CMI boss Gen James Birungi declined to respond to this allegation although he confirmed Katureebe was in his custody last month.
The operator of the popular Facebook and Twitter accounts had consistently released information which was deemed detrimental to Rwanda’s national security and also demeaning the person of the President.
Obed’s arrest happened at a time of renewed Uganda- Rwanda relations spearheaded by First Son Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba.
Mr Katureebe was on May 2 picked up by security agents from his home and had never been seen ever since. Initially, the security said his arrest and eventual custody was for his “own security”.
His boss Ofwono Opondo the executive director of Media Center reechoed that narrative but later said he had been played “a fool” by security after detaining Katureebe incommunicado for 60days.
This prompted Katureebe’s wife to petition concerned parties including the judiciary alleging that Rwanda and CMI had a hand in Katureebe’s arrest.
Uganda Human Right Commission (UHRC) came out to order CMI to release him unconditionally.
Released
On July 14, Obed Katureebe was set free from the CMI detention center.
Speaking to this website on Thursday, Katureebe said his crime was the allegation that he operated the Gakwekere social media accounts.
“But they found absolutely nothing,” he said before adding that he was never tortured.
“I was just there in my house until my release was sanctioned,” he said.
By press time Katureebe was at his desk at Media Center executing his duties.
