Former presidential candidate, Joseph Kabuleta has been arraigned in Nakawa Court in Kampala on charges of promoting sectarianism before he was remanded to Luzira prison.
Kabuleta, 50, was charged with the offence of promoting sectarianism contrary to section 41 (1) of the Penal Code Act Cap 120. He was charged alongside one Prossy Ayebare.
He was remanded until December 14 when he will be returned to court to further mention of the case.
This comes after he was arrested on Monday from the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue-NEED offices in Bugolobo.
Upon his arrest, The Criminal Investigations Directorate-CID slapped charges of sectarianism against him.
In her statement issued on Tuesday afternoon, Deputy Police Spokesperson, Claire Nabakka, says that Kabuleta was picked up for failure to honour a summons inviting him to appear before the CID on November 3rd, 2022.
According to the Police statement, Kabuleta was summoned to respond to allegations that he and others still at large, made utterances that were likely to create disaffection and promote feelings of ill will or hostility among members of the public.
“They alleged that social service delivery in Mbarara is based on ethnic lines of the Tutsi, Bahima, Bakiga, and Banyakore. Kabuleta and others shall be charged with Promoting Sectarianism C/S 41(1) of the PCA CAP 120,” the statement reads in part.
Kabuleta’s lawyer, Ivan Bowe, who has since condemned the manner he was picked up.
Bowe said his client received the summons at around 04:00 pm indicating that he was required to record a statement at 10:00 am on the same day.
“He received a summons to appear on the same day, on time that had passed. This was not an effective summon. But even then, my client should be respected not to think that he can be invited on the same day, and expect him to appear immediately as if he doesn’t have what to do.” Bowe noted.
He claims that he took responsibility, and visited Kampala Metropolitan CID Commandant, whom he requested for another summon in vain without giving any reason until Monday when his client was arrested.