Paul Mubiru, a Kampala trader who was seen in a viral clip selling grasshoppers (nsenene) aboard a Uganda Airlines flight on Friday has been arrested but Katikiro Charles Peter Mayiga has come out in his defence.
According to three passengers who traveled with Mubiru from Dubai aboard Uganda Airlines, he was arrested by immigration officers at the arrivals section at Entebbe airport. The aircraft landed Sunday at 11:49 am.
Mubiru was arrested after being swabbed at the airside by medical workers in the ongoing mandatory Covid-19 testing exercise for all incoming passengers. Mubiru was reportedly approached by two immigration officers after he removed his cap and shades.
“But I think they already knew him because even before he had removed his cap, the officers were looking at him curiously,” the passenger said. ‘They later moved out with him.” said one of the witnesses.
Through his social media pages, Katikiro of Buganda, Charles Mayiga has posted;
" I fail to understand the fuss about Paul Mubiru vending nseenene on a Uganda Airlines flight to Dubai. All airlines vend lots of things in-flight. I have witnessed passengers doing forex exchange transactions on board many times. It’s common to see passengers carry their own food onto the plane - which is cleared by the ground crew. Travelers on buses always vend food and other items. If the carrier disapproves of vending they should simply state so - otherwise those who bought the insects appreciate their taste. Mubiru could be adept at salesmanship. No need to stir up a storm in a tea cup. CPM "- he wondered.
