Lukwago, Dr Nyanzi arrested as police crack on FDC defiance campaign
Suspended Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) fellow Dr Stella Nyanzi at the FDC head offices before her arrest on Tuesday. Photo by Michael Kakumirizi
Kampala city Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been arrested as police moved to neutralize Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) defiance campaign.
Lukwago was among several people arrested on Tuesday at the FDC head office in Najjanankumbi where the party had organized its weekly prayers.
Also arrested was the suspended Makerere Institute of Social Research (MISR) fellow Dr Stella Nyanzi as she attempted to enter FDC offices, FDC weekly prayers lead pastor Happy Ngabo and his co-pastor Edward Ssenyange, among others.
Meanwhile, journalists at the FDC head offices were also ordered by police to leave the premises.
The arrests come just a day after Ms Polly Namaye, the Deputy Police spokesperson warned that anyone planning to participate in the FDC national wide defiance campaigns will taste the state wrath.
Ms Namaye added the force had deployed security and intelligence personnel across the country to deal with any activities intended to disrupt President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing in slated for May 12th.
The warning comes days after former FDC presidential candidate Rtd Col Kizza Besigye vowed to defy the “political persecution” order that was issued by Deputy Chief Justice Steven Kavuma banning any FDC defiance campaigns in the country.
Pastor Edward Ssenyange on a police truck shortly after his arrest. Photo by Michael Kakumirizi
FDC party president Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu while presiding over a press conference on Monday also reiterated the party’s position regarding the order by Justice Steven Kavuma. Mr Muntu said that nothing will stop their prayers across the country.
On Friday, Justice Kavuma issued an interim order discontinuing Dr Besigye and his opposition political party FDC from holding planned peaceful demonstrations at Nakivubo Blue primary school on May 5.
Justice Kavuma also ordered a stop to the party’s ‘Free My Vote’ Tuesday prayers that have been ongoing for close to two months, as well as prohibiting media houses from broadcasting or publishing any such message of the prayers.
“We don’t expect them (FDC) to defy the order. We have learnt about their unlawful mobilisation of people to engage in illegal demonstrations in Kisoro, Bunyoro, and Kampala among other places,” Ms Namaye said while addressing the media at a weekly national security briefing at police headquarters in Naguru on Monday.
