Police issue strict rules for Besigye return

Today’s planned thanksgiving prayers for Dr Kizza Besigye at Nakivubo Stadium will not be accepted, the police told FDC officials yesterday.

Dr Besigye is expected to arrive at 9am today from Kenya where he had gone for treatment after his brutal arrest a fortnight ago. He will be accompanied by his wife Winnie Byanyima.

In a meeting with FDC officials led by its secretary for defence, Maj. John Kazoora, at the police headquarters, the Force’s political commissar, Mr Asan Kasingye, it was agreed that the prayers be held at Nsambya playgrounds at 11:30am.

Police also said they will only allow 10 people to receive Dr Besigye at Entebbe Airport and a three-car convoy to escort him out of the airport.

Mr Kasingye said they expect Dr Besigye’s convoy to reach Kibuye roundabout in only one hour.

“Dr Besigye is free to greet his people as he enters the city and it will take an hour. It will not be possible for people to use convoys to escort him,” Mr Kasingye said yesterday.

Separately, government warned Dr Besigye and other opposition leaders against disrupting public peace ahead of President Museveni’s swearing in tomorrow.

Ministers Amama Mbabazi (Security), Kabakumba Masiko (information) and Okello Oryem (International Relations) issued the warning and also dismissed reports that security had been beefed up ahead of Dr Besigye’s return today from Nairobi.

Mbabazi warns
“Some leaders have threatened to demonstrate and accentuate acts of lawlessness ahead of President Museveni’s swearing in but I am saying let everybody respect that day because it is an important one. Whoever intends to demonstrate shall be handled by the law enforcement officers,” Mr Mbabazi said in Kampala.

He said that at an earlier meeting with foreign ambassadors, the issue of Ugandans killed in the ongoing walk-to-work demonstrations had come up.

“Government regrets the death of those Ugandans but we have taken all the necessary measures to track who perpetuated the riots and who will be held accountable. If it is the opposition or security who acted outside the law, the law will take its course,” Mr Mbabazi said.

Opposition leaders over the weekend announced a number of activities to be conducted this week that include addressing rallies in the middle of the city and conducting a countrywide vigil on Thursday.

But Dr Besigye’s arrival coincides with the expected entry into the country of heads of state who have been invited to attend the swearing-in ceremony.

For this reason, the police have indicated they will not allow opposition supporters to throng the highway and issued a traffic map stooping motorist from using the highway directly to the city centre.

Mr Mbabazi however conceded Dr Besigye is free to walk alone from the airport to Kampala upon his return for as long as he does not demonstrate or address assemblies.