Charles Rwomushana Freed After Apparent Abduction from Radio Show

Political analyst Charles Rwomushana has been released by security forces following his apprehension from a live radio program on Saturday. Rwomushana, a former intelligence chief, was reportedly taken from Radio Simba in Kampala during the broadcast of the program ‘Gasimbagane N’ebanamawulire’.

Eyewitnesses at the radio station described the incident, stating that armed individuals in civilian attire, accompanied by UPDF soldiers, entered the studio and confiscated Rwomushana’s phones before escorting him away. The host of the program confirmed Rwomushana’s release, noting that he made contact on Monday morning but did not divulge details about his place of detention or the specific reasons for his arrest.

Efforts to get an official statement from security agencies regarding the arrest and subsequent release were unsuccessful, with calls to UPDF and police spokespersons going unanswered. This incident follows Rwomushana’s recent on-air commentary regarding alleged internal family power struggles, reportedly involving Chief of Defence Forces Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba and Odrek Rwabwogo.

Rwomushana, who previously headed political intelligence at State House, has a history of arrests. These include an arrest in July 2020 for alleged violation of COVID-19 curfew restrictions and a 2016 detention related to social media posts concerning the disappearance of Christopher Aine, an aide to former presidential candidate Amama Mbabazi. His name has also surfaced in court documents concerning the treason case of Dr. Kizza Besigye, though he faces no formal charges.

This report is based on information from The Observer (Uganda).