Uganda’s opposition politician and aspiring Kampala central woman lord councilor, Saudah Madaada, was arrested on Tuesday, September 9, at the Uganda-Kenya border at Busia as she tried to cross into Kenya.

Madaada, an opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) supporter, allegedly was intercepted at the border post by security personnel, and the reasons why she was stopped were not stated.

She was subsequently brought to the Busia border police station where she spent some hours in custody and was then interrogated.

“We’ve been informed of the arrest of our sister Sauda Madaada by the police at Busia. When she inquired about why she was arrested, she was told that her file is at Wandegeya Police and that they will transfer her there,” David Lewis Rubongoya, the Secretary General of NUP said.

Her arrest is a muddled affair, and authorities still have not made an official announcement as to the motivation behind her arrest.

She was however on her way to Kenya on personal engagements according to sources close to the politician when she was stopped by security operatives.

The incident has created issues in the NUP party, as some of her colleagues are indicating that, the arrest was politically motivated.

This, they believe, is a narrowing down of democratic space in Uganda as evidenced by the continued harassment of opposition figures.

Eyewitnesses on the border informed Monitor that Madaada was calm though visibly shaken when she was escorted into the station by the police.

There were photos on the scene of her being seated in a heavy jacket, being surrounded by officers as she awaited questioning.

It remained unclear by press time whether she had been charged or released on police bond. NUP officials said that they were pursuing the issue and would make a detailed statement when more information surfaced.

Madaada is one of the young politicians, who has just shown some interest in elective offices on the NUP ticket, a fact, which has led to many of them being subjected to closer scrutiny by the authorities.

Her detention at the border highlights the conflict between security organs and politicians, which provokes new doubts concerning the freedom of movement and political expression in the country.

NUP politician Saudah Madaada. Photo /NUP.