Mugumya’s arrest: Police block opposition members from petitioning ministry of foreign affairs

South Regional Police Commander James Ruhweza (L) ordering former FDC president Kizza Besigye (R) and his colleagues to leave the premises of Foreign Affairs ministry

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Early this week, police led by Kampala Metropolitan East regional police commander Siraje Bakaleke blocked opposition members from delivering their petition to the DR Congo embassy without clear reasons or explanation

Police have blocked opposition members led by Masaka Municipality MP and the coordinator of the ‘For God and My Country’ pressure group Mathias Mpuuga from delivering their petition to the ministry of Foreign Affairs over the arrest and continued detention of activist Sam Mugumya.
Mr Mpuuga and three other opposition members who included former FDC president Kizza Besigye, Kawempe mayor Mubarak Munyagwa and FDC leader for women league, Ingrid Turinawe were on Thursday morning blocked from delivering their petition to the ministry by police led by the South Regional Police Commander James Ruhweza.
Ruhweza said that he had got intelligence that the group (opposition members) was planning to demonstrate at the ministry.
“I cannot allow you to go on with your plans. We (police) got intelligence that you were planning to protest from here,” said Ruhweza before ordering Besigye and his group to leave the place.
However, drama ensued after Besigye insisted he would not leave the place until they deliver their petition. Dr Besigye and the other three opposition members entered his car and locked themselves inside but remained parked until police brought a teargas truck to tow the car.
On realizing that they were about to be towed away by a teargas truck, Dr Besigye and his group drove away and headed for down town Kampala, followed by a procession of bodaboda riders.
Mugumya was arrested two weeks ago and according to the UPDF, he was arrested for alleged involvement in rebel activities while the Congolese government says he is being held for illegal entry into the country.