Besigye arrested in Kasangati, detained in Nagalama
Dr Besigye being arrested last year. File Photo
Police under the command of the Divisional Field Operations commander for Kasangati, Mr Fred Ahimbisibwe, have arrested former Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye.
Dr Besigye was arrested as he left his house in Kasangati, Gayaza in Wakiso District this morning (Thursday) and taken to Nagalama in Mukono District, where he is currently being detained.
The former FDC leader was allegedly heading to the American Embassy but he was intercepted as he drove out of his house by Mr Ahimbisibwe, who offered to escort him to his home. However, Dr Besigye turned down the offer and he was arrested.
Dr Besigye was also due to launch his campaign for the position of FDC flag bearer in Kasangati in Wakiso District and Kawempe in Kampala. But police claim in a letter this newspaper has seen that the retired colonel violated Section 5(1) of the Public Order Management Act 2013.
‘……An organiser of a public meeting shall give notice in writing signed by the organiser or his or her agent to the authorised officer of the intention to hold a public meeting, at least three days but not more than 15 days before the proposed date of the public meeting,’ the letter signed by Mr Erasmus Twaruhukwa on behalf of the IGP, read in part.
Police also allege that Dr Besigye’s notice came three days late. Meanwhile, reports from Kasangati indicate that Dr Besigye’s supporters have gone ahead to hold the rally.
UPDATES
Supporters loyal to former FDC president Dr Kizza Besigye are protesting in Kasangati over what they term as unfair arrest of the retired colonel.
The supporters are burning tyres in the middle of the roads disrupting traffic as many cars have been denied access to the road. By 12:50pm, police had not yet arrived.
12:58pm: Police arrives at the venue, fires tear gas to disperse protesters.
14:22pm: Crime preventers moving around Gayaza-Kansangati where protests over the arrest of Kizza Besigye are underway have so far arrested 10 people suspected to be involved. Our reporter in Kasangati says that the crime preventers are simply hand picking the suspects.
