Besigye supporters throng Entebbe Road but in vain

The road to Entebbe Airport was yesterday lined with security forces, taking no chances on containing the throngs of journalists and eager supporters awaiting the touted return of Dr Kizza Besigye.

By the end of day, their vast efforts to control any exposure to the former presidential candidate would be in vain. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party leader never made the drive down his pre-designated route. He and his family were barred from taking their morning flight from Nairobi after Kenya Airways officials refused Dr Besigye to board the plane on grounds that they had got intelligence that the government would not allow them to land at Entebbe Airport.
Dr Besigye had been undergoing specialised treatment after his brutal arrest by the police less than two weeks ago.

Journalists blocked
Both local and foreign press were refused access to the airport – contrary to agreed terms established by government in the days before Dr Besigye’s expected arrival.

At 7:30am, Daily Monitor reporters arrived at the first of many checkpoints in Kitooro, more than a kilometre away from Entebbe Airport.
Upon identifying themselves as journalists, they were abruptly told to turn back by security forces, who offered no explanation. Other vehicles traveling to the airport were permitted to pass.

One police officer, who refused to offer his name, said reporters should have sought accreditation with the Special Forces Group, the president’s security outfit.

This reporter’s attempt to take pictures of the checkpoint itself was met by hostile intervention of an unidentified plainclothed security officer, who warned a good distance should be kept from the roadblock “for your own safety.”
Over the next few hours, Daily Monitor journalists were joined by more than 30 other reporters from a range of media houses who had all been barred as well, and more than 100 Besigye supporters.

Opposition politicians including FDC vice president for Eastern Uganda Salaam Musumba, Maj. Ruranga Rubaramira, Kyaddondo East MP-elect Ibrahim Ssemujju, Kampala City mayor-elect Erias Lukwago and Interparty Cooperation (IPC) chairman Ken Lukyamuzi twice shuttled to the roadblock in Kitooro to address journalists and supporters.

The group decried the actions of Kenya Airways, in what Ms Musumba said showed that “private sector operations have also been invaded.” Mr Lukwago spoke to the excited crowd of supporters, who chanted Dr Besigye’s name, declaring – “Besigye will come back – whatever it takes.”

Govt steps in
Deputy Police Chief Asan Kasingye met the crowd later in the afternoon and denied any government intervention in blocking Dr Besigye’s return home. “The state had no hand – it was only a flight problem,” he said.

Mr Kasingye said journalists had been barred because of the space limitations in the VIP lounge at Entebbe Airport, which was also to host a procession of foreign dignitaries arriving for President Museveni’s swearing-in today.

He held, however, that the decision to ban the media was not his own, saying his responsibilities lay with “FDC coordination.” Mr Kasingye was flanked by Sahim Angoliga and Charles Gutumoi, FDC shadow minister of defence and security, who said they had been engaged in meetings with police for days leading up to Dr Besigye’s arrival.

“We are told Dr Besigye will come tomorrow at 9am and all the same programmes we should have carried today will follow suit,” said Mr Gutumoi. “If it is a ploy, then we will regret it.” However, Ms Musumba insisted that while government is “busy planning Dr Besigye’s return that was never their business in the first place.”

Security at night
In the late afternoon, when rumour spread that Dr Besigye would arrive on an evening flight, the army and police which had earlier withdrawn from the highway returned this time searching all vehicles heading to the airport.

This created a long queue stretching about a kilometer long. Many of journalists who had earlier attempted to reach the airport were blocked at Kitubulu and ordered to return to Kampala. The road from Resort Beach connecting to Lido Beach remained closed through the night.
Additional reporting by Al-Mahdi Ssenkabirwa and Martin Ssebuyira