Relatives and friends to General Edward Kayihura have made a public appeal for prayers, saying “only God” can help in facilitating the release of the former Inspector General of Police from prison.
The well-known security chief was arrested in June after nearly 13 years at the helm of the police force. Media sources report that Kayihura has spent over 8 weeks at Makindye Military Barracks since he was airlifted from Kashagama in Lyantonde district.
His relatives on Sunday launched a prayer movement they said would spread in various Churches and explained to media how they believe he is going to come out.
This was at Mulago Catholic Church within the Capital Kampala. At the mass was Kayihura’s mother, his aunties and other members of his Bafumbira community, according to a local news daily.
Kisoro LC 5 Abel Bizimana who also attended the prayers said: “We are here to ask God ‘Where were you when Museveni and Kayihura were at a thanksgiving in Kisoro; God, what has happened to you? Why are you keeping quiet?’
“We are asking God to visit president Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in a dream and see Kayihura in his original sense as he was a friend; he can’t be too dangerous now,” he reportedly said.
This development comes weeks since Human rights activists and political leaders filed a petition to the High Court seeking for immediate release of Kayihura.
This petition also came following a delegation from Kisoro district which presented a petition in a closed door meeting with Prime Minister of Uganda Ruhakana Rugunda demanding for Kayihura’s immediate release.
Defence spokesperson Brig Richard Karemire was quoted as saying “UPDF is “lawfully” handling all matters pertaining Kayihura’s arrest and “will at an appropriate time communicate its findings, conclusion and decision.”
“The way the Prime Minister spoke in Parliament didn’t give us any hope; God is our only hope now,” One of Kayihura’s relatives told the Pearl Times on Sunday, adding that the family’s attempts to meet Museveni had become futile.
Before arrest, Kayihura’s work as Police chief was commended by among others Light the world Church senior Pastor Wilson Bugembe who said he is a “special gentleman and a gift to this nation.”
“No man is perfect, I wonder how you sleep and wake up when you are the Inspector General of Police,” Pastor Bugembe said. He has a tough job, no man is perfect but Gen Kayihura is a special gentleman and a gift to this nation.”
editor@ugchristiannews.com.
