Blogger Fred Kajubi Lumbuye, who was expected to jet in the country at 3am on Saturday morning was nowhere to be seen as his lawyers and journalists who camped at Entebbe Airport through the night were barred from accessing the premises during the time of his scheduled arrival.
Foreign Affairs State Minister Okello Oryem confirmed on Friday that Lumbuye and other Ugandans based in Turkey were extradited by the Turkish Government. The group is expected to face charges like social media abuse and inciting the masses.
According to his lawyers, they are disappointed because they weren’t allowed inside. Counsel Muwada Nkunyingi, who also doubles as the Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs in Parliament revealed that he was unable to confirm if Lumbuye arrived in the country.
“We have so far not successfully traced any arrival at Entebbe in his names. This is a bit suggestive that Lumbuye may still be in Turkey or in transit,” he said.
Martha Okumu from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that she is also waiting for official communication from the Ugandan embassy in Turkey.
“There is still no confirmation yet on the arrival. I am still awaiting official communication from our Embassy,” Okumu said.
NUP’s Hon. Francis Zaake, who earlier in the week travelled to Turkey to secure the release of their party members revealed that there is no agreement reached between the two governments regarding the deportation of the blogger.
“The reality on ground is that joint efforts between our diaspora comrades and an international human rights lawyers are underway to block the extradition treaty that the Dictator and his accomplices are advocating for,” Zaake said yesterday.
Word circulating on social media indicates that SFC vehicles were spotted leaving the airport in the wee hours of the morning. It remains unclear whether Lumbuye was secretly received by security operatives or he is still in Turkey.
