Details of the release of Dr. Lawrence Muganga, an academic arrested Thursday morning on accusations of spying for a neighboring country, have emerged.
High-end sources say Dr. Muganga was released following an intervention by President Yoweri Museveni.
Muganga, 45, vice-chancellor of Victoria University, was arrested on Thursday by joint security forces for suspected “espionage and illegal stay”, according to the army spokesperson, Brig. Flavia Byekwaso.
Video from university security cameras posted online showed Dr. Muganga being taken in broad daylight from his Kampala office by armed plain clothes men and uniformed soldiers and put into a waiting van.
Frank Gashumba, a friend of Dr. Muganga told the AFP that the academician was freed on Friday after he (Gashumba) raised the case with Museveni.
There was no immediate confirmation from the government of his release.
Gashumba said Dr. Muganga, who is of Rwandan ethnicity, was taken to the Chieftaincy of Military Intelligence (CMI) headquarters, Mbuya where he was questioned about alleged spying for a neighboring country.
Gashumba told AFP he secured a meeting with Museveni who he said was “shocked” by Muganga’s arrest and ordered his immediate release and the dropping of all charges.
“I want to thank each and everyone out there for your peace, your support, your activism,” Muganga said after his release, according to a video posted on Gashumba’s Facebook page.