Abura Pirir, a mentally ill individual from Moroto, who briefly halted President Yoweri Museveni's convoy on Tuesday, has been released from custody.
The incident occurred as President Museveni was en route to Nadunget Subcounty in Moroto district for the groundbreaking ceremony of a cement factory. While Abura Pirir jumped onto the road in front of the presidential convoy, the driver managed to tactically avoid him, preventing any injuries or damage.
Immediately following the incident, the presidential Special Forces Command sprang into action, apprehending Pirir and subsequently handing him over to the Moroto Central Police Station.
Police Spokesperson for Karamoja, Mike Longole Mike, stated, "This was a preventive measure meant to restrain the deranged suspect from harming himself or harming other people." He emphasized that security forces are fully committed to maintaining peace and order throughout the Karamoja region.
Pirir, who was seen wearing a Muhoozi Kainerugaba T-shirt at the time of his apprehension, expressed his innocence today, explaining that he merely wanted to greet the president.
"I don't know why I was arrested. I just wanted to shake hands with the president," Abura Pirir told the media.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by individuals with mental health issues in accessing appropriate care and support in Uganda. Advocates argue that more attention and resources should be dedicated to addressing mental health concerns in the country. Meanwhile, Abura Pirir's release underscores the importance of discerning between genuine security threats and situations involving individuals who may require mental health intervention rather than punitive measures.
