Kasese attack: Father of detained TikToker speaks out
A photo combo showing Mr David Mugabi Ssendawula (L) and his detained son, Resto Kalenzi (R). Photo/COURTESY
What you need to know:
Mr Ssendawula who is also Local Council II of Bulyadente Parish in Lugazi Municipality Buikwe District said what his son, Resto Kalenzi did was unfortunate and out of excitement and group influence
The father of a 25-year-old Tiktoker who was arrested Tuesday for claiming to be a member of the DR Congo-based Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) militia that is accused of attacking a school in Kasese District in western Uganda has come out to defend his son.
Mr David Mugabi Ssendawula, a resident of Buikwe District said his son, Resto Kalenzi, who is currently detained at Lugazi Central Police Station has never travelled beyond Kampala city.
Kalenzi recorded and shared a video of himself claiming to be a member of the rebel group suspected to have killed 37 students and five other community members during the Friday night attack. Another victim of the attack died Wednesday morning, pushing the toll to 43.
According to Mr Ssendawula who serves as the Local Council II chairperson of Bulyadente Parish in Lugazi Municipality, Buikwe District, Kalenzi's video which has since gone viral on different social media platforms must have been recorded out of excitement and peer influence.
“He is my son and I know him. Whatever he did is unfortunate. He did it out of excitement and I want to apologise on his behalf. He's not a member of the ADF. He has never traveled beyond Kampala and has no criminal record in the community," Mr Ssendawula said.
Mr Ssendawula explained that he sometimes overhears his son and friends discussing politics yet he (Kalenzi) is not well informed about the country's politics.
Residents speaking anonymously noted that Mr Kalezi is just a common boda-boda rider in Namengo village who is not known for any criminal record.
Police earlier said Kalenzi is a shop attendant in Lugazi, dismissing reports that he's a boda boda rider.
One of the residents said; "I believe he was trying to attract followers on his TikTok account, without realizing that he was being reckless and the information he shared harmful and offensive ."
Mr Kalenzi was arrested on Tuesday after recording himself in a video claiming he belongs to ADF which is accused of attacking Mpondwe - Lhubiriha Secondary School in Kasese District on June 16, 2023.
Ssezibwa Police Spokesperson, Ms Hellen Butoto said police had detained him for questioning and would be arraigned in court to answer charges accordingly.
