Police have this afternoon arrested Obed Derrick, a Makerere University student and aspiring Guild President for reportedly addressing the media about the conditions faced by students stranded in Hostels.
According to a tweet shared by his social media campaign team, Obed was a arrested with a colleague, shortly after addressing the media earlier today and taken to Wandegeya Police Station.
“We announce the arrest of our candidate, Obed Derrick and a colleague Solomon Nabuyende. The two were arrested today morning shortly after addressing the media on the conditions of the students facing lockdown & stranded in hostels & rentals.” the tweet reads
Another tweet indicates that the two were helping stranded students to estimate how long they will have to wait as the lockdown continues to bite, and the opening dates of universities remain unknown. The Police have not yet officially revealed why the pair was arrested .
“Obed Derrick was updating Students on our efforts to offer assistance.
Many of the students who are stuck in hostels did not anticipate the length of the lockdown and some did not have means to go back home. The @PoliceUg has not preferred any charges yet.” Another tweet from Obed’s team reads.
According to our sources at the Police Station, the OC CID says she is still talking to her bosses to agree if they are to press any charges on the student leader.
Obed, who has participated in several strikes to fight for students’ welfare and branded himself “strike machine”, a name he took over from the previous one, Wanyera.
Campus Bee recently published an opinion by Obed, who wondered what next for students now that universities remain closed. Obed also noted that he had emerged victor in the UYD/People Power primaries for the next guild election and had already invested in campaigns, citing that the closure of universities affected him like other students.
However, Obed continued to call for help as several students stranded in Hostels have nothing to eat. The aspiring leader today addressed the press to talk about the same problem, little did he know he will end up behind bars.
We will keep you posted!