Former Bubulo West member of parliament, Tonny Nsubuga Kipoi has been rearrested in Botswana, a month after being acquitted of treason charges in Uganda.
A story in The Monitor newspaper of Botswana indicates that Kipoi is locked up at Urban police station in Gaborone following his arrest from Tlokweng village, near the country's capital, Gaborone.
According to the story, Kipoi was arrested for overstaying his visit making him a prohibited immigrant. URN has learnt that Kipoi travelled to Botswana upon his release from custody in Uganda and has been in detention since October 15, 2020.
The Monitor quotes Kipoi's lawyers as saying that their client was awaiting the regularization of his application for a residence permit with the immigration department. The lawyers also say Kipoi was meant to return to South Africa but was limited by travel restrictions.
The lawyers say their client should be released and not be extradited to Uganda because he is running away from Uganda and should be taken to South Africa, where he has citizenship.
According to the story, Kipoi was arrested for overstaying his visit making him a prohibited immigrant. URN has learnt that Kipoi travelled to Botswana upon his release from custody in Uganda and has been in detention since October 15, 2020.
The Monitor quotes Kipoi's lawyers as saying that their client was awaiting the regularization of his application for a residence permit with the immigration department. The lawyers also say Kipoi was meant to return to South Africa but was limited by travel restrictions.
The lawyers say their client should be released and not be extradited to Uganda because he is running away from Uganda and should be taken to South Africa, where he has citizenship.
"The client has always applied for the extension of his days in the country, and has always entered the country lawfully," Kipoi's lawyer is quoted by The Monitor.
The lawyers have given the Botswana government an ultimatum for his conditional release, saying he isn't guilty. Kipoi's lawyer in Uganda, Rtd Maj Ronald Iduuli who handled his treason case in the army court in Uganda said that he hasn't been in contact with Kipoi since his release in September.
He explained that whenever Kipoi is out of Uganda, he is represented by a lawyer based in that particular country. Iduuli says he can't get to know what is happening to Kipoi unless he initiates contact.
The lawyers have given the Botswana government an ultimatum for his conditional release, saying he isn't guilty. Kipoi's lawyer in Uganda, Rtd Maj Ronald Iduuli who handled his treason case in the army court in Uganda said that he hasn't been in contact with Kipoi since his release in September.
He explained that whenever Kipoi is out of Uganda, he is represented by a lawyer based in that particular country. Iduuli says he can't get to know what is happening to Kipoi unless he initiates contact.
"I didn't know he was under custody, but I have taken a long time without talking to him, and this I am hearing for the first time," Iduuli said.
This isn't the first time Kipoi is being arrested in Botswana. In February 2018, Kipoi was arrested in Botswana and charged with obtaining money by false pretense while practising witchcraft. He was extradited to Uganda in March of the same year.
This isn't the first time Kipoi is being arrested in Botswana. In February 2018, Kipoi was arrested in Botswana and charged with obtaining money by false pretense while practising witchcraft. He was extradited to Uganda in March of the same year.
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