Girl who sneaked letter to Museveni arrested

Mbarara

Ugandan police are holding a Primary Five pupil who sneaked a letter to President Yoweri Museveni.

Bridget Atwijukire, from Kanyaryeru Primary School in Nyabushozi, Kiruhura District, is said to have gained access to the Presidential dais without the knowledge of his security officers.

Rwizi region police spokesperson Ibin Senkumbi on Monday confirmed that the girl’s mother, Ms Generous Tumuhimbise, is also being held at Mbarara Central Police Station.

KNELT DOWN

The incident occurred on Saturday at Ntare School where the President was attending an old boys reunion.

Shortly before 4pm, the girl emerged from a tent at the lower end of the school, where the President was seated.

A Special Forces Command guard standing in between the VIP and Presidential tents tried to grab Atwijukire but she escaped.

She then knelt down in front of the President and handed him an envelope.

Mr Museveni then signalled a female aide to take the envelope as he talked with the girl.

BUY THEM LAND

Though it is still not clear what the girl told the Head of State, police said there is a claim "that the President promised to buy them land, construct a house and pay school fees for the orphaned girl,” Mr Senkumbi said.

After being handed over to the aide, Bridget was taken behind the tent where she was quizzed by a presidential guard and later handed over to the police.

Asked to explain why the girl and her mother were still in detention after the mandatory 48 hours, Mbarara Central Police Station chief detective Ian Kakuru, said they are still waiting for feedback from the Resident State Attorney.

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