By Sir Dean Lubowa Saava
TV10 Gano Mazima Investigative Desk
Kampala Highly placed State House sources have revealed to TV10 Gano Mazima that President Yoweri Museveni has withdrawn to his Kisozi farm in Gomba District to consider a direct appeal from top religious leaders regarding the country’s current political tensions.
The President’s retreat follows two closed-door meetings held with leaders under the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda at Entebbe State House within the last two weeks.
At the centre of the religious leaders’ prayers is the release of key opposition figures. They asked the President to order the release on bail of People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) Supreme Leader Dr. Kizza Besigye, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and National Unity Platform (NUP) officials Muhammad Muwanga Kivumbi and Alex Waiswa Mufumbiro.
Archbishop of the Church of Uganda, Dr. Stephen Kazimba Mugalu, led the delegation. Sources present said the meetings were tense. “Religious leaders told the President that the manner in which opposition leaders are being handled is humiliating Ugandans and is deepening hatred and division,” one attendee told TV10 Gano Mazima.
Another senior cleric said religious leaders are under pressure from cultural institutions and other opinion leaders to intervene and calm the situation.“They asked the President directly whether he is still in control. Ugandans are asking why he has turned hard on his political opponents and activists,” the source added.
The religious leaders’ push is said to have contributed to the release of former Ethics Minister Maria Matembe, whose bail had been delayed by what sources described as “conflicting directives from above.”
The trial magistrate who eventually granted her bail reportedly complained in court about receiving contradictory instructions. Sources further revealed that the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II, also sent a message to the President expressing concern over ongoing human rights violations.
In response, Vice President Jessica Alupo led a government delegation to meet Buganda Kingdom Premier Charles Peter Mayiga at Bulange, following his repeated public statements on the deteriorating rights situation.
Despite the pressure, a senior State House official told TV10 that the President remains firm.“It’s true religious and cultural leaders, especially in Buganda, are panicking. But they should know that Museveni is still in control and monitoring everything.
His decision to calm the situation will shock the world. Just keep watching,” the official said.Last week, in a national address, President Museveni insisted that “everything is under control” and that security agencies are working to enforce discipline, especially among politicians.
He specifically accused Dr. Besigye of turning courtrooms into a “theatre” and delaying his treason trial. The President urged Ugandans to demand that the trial proceeds, instead of calling for bail.
However, State House sources say the President is still consulting on whether to grant bail to the detained opposition leaders. Security agencies are reportedly opposed, arguing that the suspects could interfere with state witnesses and frustrate investigations.
According to insiders, by the time the President returns from Kisozi, he will have made a final decision and will respond to the religious leaders in writing.
The development comes as the courts prepare to rule on bail applications filed by Dr. Besigye, Lukwago, Kivumbi, Mufumbiro and others.TV10 Gano Mazima will continue to follow this story.
