Police lock Besigye out of Masaka meeting

Dr Kiiza Besigye. File Photo

What you need to know:

Dr Besigye, who had not been invited for the meeting said he has a right to attend as a citizen.

KAMPALA:
Police have blocked former Forum For Democratic Change president, Dr Kiiza Besigye, from attending an electoral reforms meeting organised by NGO Forum in Masaka.

Police officers in uniforms and plain clothes condoned off Hotel Brovad in Masaka Town and ordered Dr Besigye out of the meeting which had convened to collect views of local leaders, politicians, religious leaders and members of the community in Buganda sub-region held on Thursday on electoral reforms.

Organisers said, Dr Besigye had not been officially invited but as a citizen he had a right to attend the meeting and give his input as one of the leaders pushing for the reforms.

Ms Evelyn Bukirwa, the chairperson of the organising committee, said the meeting targeted every citizen and could not lock out Dr Besigye although he had not been invited.

“I needed his opinion as a Ugandan on how we can push for reform in the country and all people have a right to have their input in the move to have a free and fair election in Uganda” Ms Bukirwa said.

Masaka NGO Forum coordinator, Mr Mwanje Lubowa, said they had received a directive from security agencies not to invite Dr Besigye.

However, Dr Besigye told journalists he had not been invited for the Buganda sub-region workshop but as a citizen he had a right to participate in the meeting.

Masaka RDC, Mr Linos Ngopek, said he was surprised to get information that Dr Besigye had come for the meeting yet they had agreed with organisers not to invite him.

Masaka deputy regional police commander, Mr Edward Mugweri, defended their action, saying members had told them they were uncomfortable with Dr Besigye’s presence.