Kadaga orders govt on Besigye arrest

Kampala.

Speaker Rebecca Kadaga yesterday ordered government to bring a statement to Parliament, explaining the situation at Dr Kizza Besigye’s home.

State minister for Internal Affairs James Baba tried to refer the House to a statement issued by the Inspector General of Police Kale Kayihura but Ms Kadaga overruled him, saying: “The IGP’s statement was not issued to the House. At an appropriate time, he should bring a statement to Parliament [explaining the situation at Besigye’s home.]” Ms Kadaga was responding to a request from Ms Beatrice Anywar (FDC, Kitgum Woman MP), who moved that Parliament gets a statement from government, explaining Dr Besigye’s continued “house arrest”

“We want to know why Dr Besigye is under House arrest. Even if you are arrested and put in prison, people are allowed to come and visit you. Dr Besigye is under illegal detention and is not even allowed to see some people,” Ms Anywar said.

But Mr Baba said: “The bottom line is as long as his defiance campaign and disobedience continues, the police have the right to ensure peace and stability.” When challenged by Opposition chief whip Cecilia Ogwal to name the law Dr Besigye broke, Mr Baba referred members to the Police Act that empowers police to detect and prevent crime.

However, Mr Barnabas Tinkasiimire (Buyaga East MP) and other legislators rejected the minister’s explanation. “I will not subscribe to anyone who says Dr Besigye is breaking the law by driving out of his gate. Produce a charge against him if he has broken the law,” Mr Tinkasiimire said.

However, Ssembabule Woman MP Anifa Kawoya, accused Ms Anywar of misleading the House” for asking the police to leave Besigye’s home “when she knows the mandate of police”. By asking police to leave Dr Besigye’s home, Parliament is interfering with police work, she said.