By our reporter
A number of the National Unity Platform NUP members and supporters are in hiding following the just concluded election in fear for their life after several warnings and tortures orchestrated upon them for their political affiliations and work. Among those in hiding is a 35 year old Joshua Magezi Tumusiime who was among the team that moved across the various regions of the country hanging posters of the NUP president who was also a presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.
In this exclusive interview, our reporter held an interview with Magezi in one of the guest houses he is hiding, Magezi narrates the physical and psychological torture he is going through after his Family was taken away from him and the physical torture he has endured for supporting NUP.
Magezi was formerly happily married to Melody Kyokunda for 7years living with two of their children Nezza Letitia Ariela (3 and eleven months) and Amara Ariana Mirembe (2 years). And from his past relationship Magezi has a son, Daniel Tumusiime Magezi (8yrs). He says it was all well until in 2019, when his father in law John Bosco Tumwine who is currently part of the top organizing team for the National Resistance movement (NRM) found out that Magezi was supporting NUP in addition to running other party related activities which was contrary to his value, beliefs and principles of his family being NRM diehards.
Magezi says together with about ten others including Moses Kibuuka, Isma Ssemakula, Shsfiq Kagimu, Dorothy Nalumansi, Ms Shiphra Rukundo, Julie Nakayiza, Joyce Namuyimba, Peter Ssegawa, Geofrey Mutalya, and Swabra Najjemba, started moving across the country hanging posters of Bobi Wine. Starting with Kigezi region in the districts of Kabale, Rukungiri, Mbarara and Kisoro. Then to the Eastern, in Mbale, Busia, Soroti, and Kumi.
Thereafter, they went to the central in the districts of Masaka, Luweero, Masinde and Hoima but when they reached Mubende, the country went into a second lockdown of COVID 19, thus they couldn’t proceed to the northern region as earlier planned.
Amidst all the happening, Magezi was adamant about the constant reminders from his wife to stop defying his father in law orders until the father in law summoned him for a meeting about the same in July 15, 2020. He cautioned him to desist from supporting NUP but because his devotion and hope lied in the hands of the new party NUP, Magezi didn’t agree with Tumwine thus ending the meeting on a bitter note. He added that when he returned home his wife was so furious and asked him to choose between NUP and family. Being a foot mobiliser at NUP he was torn between a hard place and the rock but requested the wife not stifle his freedom.
“On November 3, 2020, during the nomination in Kyambogo when the security ran rampage on Bobi Wine, I was part of the team that had escorted him and when he was arrested and taken to his home in Magere, I got many calls from my neighbour. Later in the evening I returned a call to my neighbor Mr. Tamusuza Charles who inquired why my wife had packed almost everything from our home in Entebbe and left with our children.
I tried reaching out to my wife but she didn’t answer my calls, and that evening when I went back home, my neighbors advised that I should not stay at home because it was unsafe. Checked into a guest house somewhere where I spent most of the time until I joined the team on the campaign trail for Bobi Wine but while in Luuka District, Bobi wine was arrested and taken to jinja at Nalufenya prisons for more than two days. Then I returned home only to be welcomed by an almost empty house.” Said Magezi
Magezi says a month later, he got a call from an unknown number and it was his wife who told him he will never see his children again. He reported to police to help him track the location of the original call but after identifying his father in law’s status, the police did nothing but rather in the evening he was ambushed by unknown men who tortured him.
“Later in the evening I was ambushed by some men and taken to some incomplete building where I was battered and tortured from accompanied with a cautions to stop supporting and engaging in NUP activities. I was released after two weeks.
In April 2021, I was again ambushed by army men, who dragged me out of the house in the middle of the night and drive off in a Toyota Hiace van commonly known as drone without a number plate. One man who was seated in front pulled out his gun, placed it on the dashboard and asked me to choose life and my family or continue supporting NUP and get killed. Having drove for more than four hours, I was dropped off in Mabira forest along jinja highway.” Said Magezi
After the incident Magezi talked to his aunt who asked him to stay at his resident where he was attacked again only to escape through the back door
“In May 2021, army men forced their way into my auntie’s house, I managed to escape through the back door since I was afraid of what would happen if they got hold of me. I stayed staying at a guest house and when i called my auntie to find out what transpired at home when I escaped, she said that they were looking for me since I was seen wearing a NUP cap (red beret) and T-shirt.
Since then, I have been running from place to place hiding from the public or anyone who may lead the government to my location.” Said Magezi
