Juliet Nalwadda, the mother of the deported Ugandan weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko has pleaded with the Government of Uganda to pardon his son.
A teary Nalwadda was among the people at Entebbe International Airport as Ssekitoleko was brought back from Japan where he was reported missing.
Flanked by his sister (Pauline Nakasagga) and the spouse to Ssekitoleko (Desire Nampeewo), Nalwadda told the media that Ssekitoleko’s dream as he left the country for the Toyoko Olympics in Japan was to win a medal.
Before Ssekitoleko left for Japan, he assured us that he had gone to work hard win a medal, to improve his life and that of the family. He left behind a 5 month’s pregnant wife and unfortunately, they were locked out of the house because of rent arrears. There was no misery when he was told that he did not make the make for Olympics and he had to return home. All these happened in a quick flash and may be he was left with no idea.
Juliet Nalwadda, mother of weightlifter Julius Ssekitoleko
She has then appealed to the Government to pardon the son who faces arrest as confessed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Henry Okello Oryem.
“I ask the Government to forgive my son of any wrong doing. We all commit mistakes and he might have done it out of fear. I also humbly ask the Government to help him rehabilitate and provide some financial assistance at this stage” Nalwadda added.
A visibly healthy albeit stressed Ssekitoleko was accompanied by an official from Japan before he was handled over to the Government of Uganda at Entebbe International Airport on Friday, July 23, 2021.
He was received by Martha Okumu and Ronald Basiimwa (ministry of foreign affairs officials), commissioner in charge of physical education and sports Rev Canon Duncans Mugumya, the family members and the media.
Mugumya promised to assist with the rehabilitation and logistics of the victim.
“We shall help with the logistics and rehabilitation of Julius Ssekitoleko. He is a young promising sportsman who has a bright future ahead of him” Rev. Canon Mugumya vowed.
After two hours of intense grilling and interrogation at the Airport, Ssekitoleko was whisked off from the eagerly awaiting journalists and driven to the CID Headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala city.
By the time of publishing this report, the mother (Juliet Nalwadda) was camped at the CID Headquarters and Ssekitoleko was yet to be released.