Prison changed me – Rwakasisi

After 24 years in Luzira Maximum Prison, former UPC die hard, Mr. Chris Rwakasisi says he is a changed man , and is ready to preach the values of love, tolerance, and reconciliation, which he learnt in jail.

The former Minister of Security in the Obote II government was released from Luzira, where he was on death row, following a presidential pardon from president Museveni.

Speaking at a church service organized for him by his family and party, UPC, at All Saints Cathedral yesterday, Rwakasisi said that he will promote reconciliation and love throughout the country.

“I am back and I am here to stay this time,” he said while recounting his prison experience.

“I got expensive salvation while in prison and am going to continue preaching the same throughout the country, especially in the prison,” he added.

Speaking with his shoes off, Rwakasisi thanked the president for his concern, “belated as it was”, but denounced the death penalty, which he said only increased crime rather than curbing it.

Chris Rwakasisi was arrested in 1985 by the NRA

Soon after the afternoon service, UPC held a press conference at its headquarters at Uganda house, where it revealed its intentions to use Rwakasisi to garner support for the party in Bushenyi, his home town, and among the youths, who are ecstatic about his release.

“We want him and we shall use him effectively to propel the party, mobilize new members, and be the leader that his is already,” said UPC president, Mrs. Miria Obote.

She however declined to say if the party would use Rwakasisi to lead the party or even stand for presidency in the 2011 general elections, saying it would be his personal decision.

The UPC leadership, which thanked president Museveni for returning “their son” however called upon the government to set up a commission of reconciliation to right the wrongs it has done to UPC.

“ NRM has for long used UPC as a shield, telling young people that we are responsible for the Luweero massacres, but now is the time to tell the truth,” said Mr. Chris Opoka, UPC’s Deputy Secretary General.

“UPC has suffered a lot because of these lies and now we are starting to see our image cleansed,” he added.