The Deputy President of the National Unity Platform (NUP) in charge of Northern Uganda, Dr. Lina Zedriga, has been transferred to Luzira Maximum Prison’s female section over what authorities describe as “security reasons,” an official at the prison has confirmed.
Dr. Zedriga was remanded to Gulu Main Prison on Friday last week by Chief Magistrate Augustine Alule, weeks after she reportedly went missing from her home in Kampala a day after the January 15 general elections.
She was charged with incitement to violence contrary to Section 79(1) of the Penal Code Act.
Although she had been remanded to Gulu Main Prison (female section) until February 17, when she is expected to return to the Gulu Magistrate’s Court, Dr Zedriga was transferred over the weekend from Gulu City to Luzira Maximum Prison.
Uganda Prisons Service spokesperson Frank Baine confirmed to Favour FM yesterday that Dr. Zedriga is currently in custody at Luzira’s female section.
Baine says the NUP leader’s transfer from Gulu was due to security concerns, but declined to provide specific details.
He notes that the discretion to transfer prisoners, rests with the Commissioner General of Prisons and maintains that the decision was solely based on security grounds.
Baine also dismissed claims that the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the Uganda Police Force influenced the transfer.
Both the police in Aswa West and the UPDF have denied influencing the charges against the 64-year-old former magistrate. Dr. Zedriga had reportedly been missing for nearly a month following the January 15 general election, results that her party rejected.
By URN
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