Africa-Press – Uganda. JUDICIARY | The Uganda Police Force is holding three more lawyers in addition to Chapter Four Uganda Executive Director (ED) Nicholas Opiyo. Security sources who spoke to the New Vision noted that Advocates Herbert Dakasi, Anthony Odur and Esemu Obure had also been arrested alongside Chapter Four Uganda ED in Kamwokya but it was not yet clear whether they would also be charged with money laundering and related malicious acts that police preferred on Opiyo on Tuesday.On Tuesday evening, both Chapter four Uganda and Uganda Law Society (ULS) issued a statement condemning the arrest of Opiyo and others.ULS President Pheona Wall noted that they were concerned about the continued illegal arrest and detention of advocates by the law enforcement agencies.”The abduction from Kamwokya and the detention is highly high handed and unnecessary. He could have been summoned through his usual address or ULS. The security agencies that arrested him should, therefore, respect his basic civil liberties including access to lawyers, medical personnel, and family. They should respect the privacy and property rights of his phones and car, which is not yet accounted for,” ULS President noted.On Friday evening, family and friends who visited Opiyo were reportedly turned away by the Special Investigations Directorate in Kireka where he is detained.By Wednesday morning, Opio was given access to his lawyers. “He is fine, he hasn’t been tortured and neither has he been told why he was arrested. Even though police noted that he had been charged with money laundering, nobody has spoken to him yet on why he was arrested,” a family friend told the New Vision.Godber Tumushabe described Opiyo’s arrest as, “an effort by the regime to intimidate pro-democracy activists. Nicholas’ house was broken into last month, his phone was stolen and has not been recovered.”
