Victoria University has released a statement strongly condemning the manner in which their Ag. Vice Chancellor Dr. Lawrence Muganga was arrested and detained last week.
“The university expect all staff to be law abiding but in case they are suspected to have broken the law and have to be arrested, they should be handled in accordance with lawful procedures. The University condemns the manner of arrest of Dr. Muganga which did not follow the known lawful procedures of effecting arrest of a suspect,” Victoria University said in a statement.
Dr. Lawrence Muganga was arrested by armed men in civilian clothes while in his office at the University premises. The UPDF later said in a statement that the arrest by a joint security team was meant to interrogate him on allegations of espionage.
“The unfortunate incident happened on Thursday 2nd September 2021, when armed men in civilian clothes led by a one Denis Musumba (according to the National ID which he presented to reception desk) entered the University premises on Plot 1-13 on Jinja Road Kampala and arrested Dr. Lawrence Muganga and his body guard and whisked them off in a vehicle which headed towards Nakawa direction along Jinja Road. The personal assistant to the Vice Chancellor, Mr. Herbert Kayongo took off on a bodaboda and followed the vehicle. He too was arrested. This was around 10 am,” the statement read.
After about one hour, Dr. Muganga was brought back to the university by men in UPDF uniform and others in civilian wear and were travelling in what is commonly termed as ‘a drone’. They proceeded with Dr. Muganga who was in handcuffs, to the office. The men were seen carrying a laptop from his office and they drove him off again.
“We appreciate the effort made by his family in a bid to get his release and remaining in face of such difficult circumstances. The University notes with appreciation messages of support and encouragement from the wider Victoria University family and the media for keeping the ordeal of Dr. Muganga topical and demanding that the letter of law should be upheld and the human rights of whoever resides in the release of Dr. Muganga and gives us reason to celebrate.”
The University has howeevr assured the public and their staff that everything is now calm and business is running as usual.
“We assure the general public, our dear staff, students and their parents and guardians that the University is calm and its programmes are running normally.”
