Besigye arrested at Entebbe Airport
What you need to know:
- More than 50 FDC supporters arrested by police and are being detained at Katabi Police Station.
- FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi sealed-off by police.
Opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has been arrested at Entebbe International Airport moments after he landed.
Kampala City lord mayor Erias Lukwago said Dr Besigye was arrested and whisked away in a waiting vehicle.
“We do not know where he has been taken but we are doing our best to trace him,” said Mr Lukwago
According to Lukwago, their programme has been interfered by Besgye’s arrest.
When contacted, Police spokesperson, Mr Andrew Kaweesi said Dr Besigye was arrested as a preventive measure.
"We picked him as he was exiting the arrival lounge shortly after he landed and safely escorted him to his home in Kasangati. The arrest was necessary because we had intelligence that his followers were planning to cause chaos along Entebbe road and as police, we could not allow that. It’s part of our duty to prevent crime,” he said.
When asked why police had deployed at Dr Besigyes home, Mr Kaweesi said it was necessary because some FDC leaders had mobilized to cause chaos in Kasangati.
Security remains tight along Entebbe road.
Police and the Military officers are mainly deployed in the populous towns such as 'Abayita Ababiri.' They kept an overnight vigil according to residents here at Bayita Market.
Dr Besigye arrived at Entebbe Airport at around at 8:15am and was reportedly immediately whisked away by security officers to unknown destination.
Earlier, security officers blocked journalists from accessing the airport on grounds that they don’t have clearance from the Uganda Communication Commission (UCC).
However, UCC distanced itself from the claims saying: “Maintaining law and order is not our mandate. Share with us your information source.”
Earlier, police warned that they would arrest and slap treason charges on supporters of Dr Besigye, the former presidential candidate who will be found with posters describing him as “His excellence the people’s president or president of Uganda.”
Mr Andrew Kaweesi, the Police Spokesman, said they have learnt that posters describing Dr Besigye as president are being distributed by Ms Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC secretary for mobilisation and Makerere Councillor Doreen Nyanjura.
He also accused the duo of mobilising people to paralyse traffic on Entebbe highway.
“FDC has not officially communicated the rescheduled return of former presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye and therefore, holding processions and moving in convoys is illegal,” Mr Kaweesi said at a media briefing in Kampala.
Dr Besigye, who had planned to return to Uganda on Thursday, changed his plan and is expected to be in the country on Monday.