Police intercept Bwanika at border

Abed Bwanika

Rakai- Police on Friday intercepted presidential candidate Abed Bwanika at Mutukula border in Rakai District suspecting him of trying to flee the country.

The southern region police spokesperson, Mr Ibin Ssenkumbi, confirmed the incident and said Police asked Dr Bwanika not to leave the country because vote tallying of the Thursday general elections was still going on countywide.

He said police, however, allowed his other family members to cross the border into Tanzania, where he was reportedly heading.
Mr Ssenkumbi said police escorted Mr Bwanika back to his home.

“Police did not arrest Dr Bwanika. We only asked him to stay in the country until final results are declared by the Electoral Commission. He is a candidate in the presidential race and it would sound funny to announce results when he is out of the country. What if he emerges the winner when he is out of the country?” Mr Ssenkumbi asked.

Efforts to speak to Dr Bwanika were futile, but his media handler, Mr Charles Mugerwa, however, denied reports that his boss was attempting to flee the country.

He said Dr Bwanika was escorting his wife, Ms Gladys Bwanika, to cross to Tanzania where she usually gets treatment.

“He (Bwanika ) had just escorted his wife to the border to go to Tanzania for treatment. The security was misinformed that he was trying to sneak out of the country,” he said.