Turkish authorities have released a Ugandan fugitive Fred Lumbuye who was arrested in early August at the request of president Yoweri Museveni.
Lumbuye went into hiding after Ugandan authorities launched an operation to arrest him for ‘killing’ president Museveni.
The Ugandan opposition supporter is accused of announcing fake news of Museveni’s death and his family members.
The blogger had claimed that president Museveni had succumbed to Covid-19 following a long absence from public domain.
Lumbuye is also alleged to have spread death rumors on Kabaka (monarch) of Buganda Ronald Muwenda Mutebi.
According to Uganda, Lumbuye is being investigated on 15 charges – including spreading harmful propaganda, inciting the public to protest by sharing videos on his platform, and cyber-related crimes.
Lumbuye was arrested in the Turkish capital Ankara in early August. Shortly after that, Ugandan Foreign Affairs minister Henry Oryem Okello announced the arrest and said he would be deported back to the country.
However, Turkish authorities detained Lumbuye indefinitely. He was held at the Kocaeli Foreigners Detention Centre.
A supporter of National Unity Platform (NUP) led by Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine, Turkish authorities said Lumbuye was arrested over immigration issues and accusations of inciting violence among the Ugandans in Turkey.
Turkish authorities said Lumbuye was held on charges of an expired visa and overstay in the country.
Bobi Wine’s party hired a Turkish lawyer Adnan Sahin, who has helped them with the case and to secure his release.
“I thank Ugandans globally for the solidarity in pursuit of Lumbuye’s freedom. I thank the NUP diaspora Chapters for the teamwork. And I wish to thank Ugandan Community and NUP leaders in Turkey for the solidarity and all efforts,” said Bobi Wine upon Lumbuye’s release.
Though released, the charges against him will continue to be pursued, Mr Nkunyingi said, noting that lawyers had briefed the Ugandan team.
