Police deny theft charges against Besigye
A police tyre spike barrier lies infront of FDC leader Kizza Besigye’s home in Kasangati last week. The IGP, Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura, on Friday told journalists that the Force have opened a file against Dr Besigye over allegations that he stole their equipment. PHOTO BY FAISWAL KASIRYE
What you need to know:
Earlier claims by the inspector general of police that Dr Besigye was facing charges of theft are denied by senior police sources.
A claim made by the Inspector General of Police that opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye is facing charges of theft yesterday drew reactions of surprise at the station where the file is supposed to have been opened.
A senior police officer at Kasangati Police Station, who refused to be quoted saying he is not the Force’s spokesperson, yesterday told Daily Monitor that to the best of his knowledge, no such file has been opened against the leader of the country’s largest opposition party, FDC.
Lt. Gen. Kale Kayihura had on Friday told journalists in Kampala that Dr Besigye stole a tyre-shredding road barrier and threatened to harm police officers.
“Besigye committed a crime and he is lucky police did not break into his house. There is a file on that for stealing government property at Kasangati Police Station,” Lt. Gen. Kayihura said.
“This man does not obey the law and he operates as if he is above the law,” the police chief added. Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba, who attended the Friday press briefing, yesterday referred the Daily Monitor to Mr Ibin Sekumbi, the Kampala Metropolitan Police deputy spokesperson, for comment.
By press time Mr Ssekumbi had not responded to repeated calls to his known mobile phone number.
Dr Besigye was not available for comment. But FDC spokesman Wafula Oguttu said the party is not aware that police has instituted proceedings against their leader.
‘Frivolous charges’
Mr Oguttu said yesterday that: “The charges are frivolous. Dr Besigye told the media that they put the tyre cutter in front of his gate and he took it and put it inside his house but handed it over in the morning.”
A week ago, on October 7, a mid-night scuffle ensued between police and Dr Besigye at his Kasangati residence over a tyre-shredder, which officers had placed across his gate.
Dr Besigye was alerted by visitors whom police stopped from accessing his home that his gate was blocked. He walked to the gate, and after arguing with officers, removed the offending object which he took away.
“Putting a barricade on private property is criminal. We wanted to remove the tyre cutter on Saturday but found many police officers there who blocked us,” Mr Mwijukye added.
On Friday, Lt. Gen. Kayihura repeated earlier information that the police will maintain close monitoring of the FDC president because “he is a man who has got criminal inclinations”.
