Col. Besigye held for nine hours

By Simon Masaba and Herbert Ssempogo

Forum for Democratic Change president Kizza Besigye was detained for nine hours at Kasangati Police Station after the Police foiled his attempt to walk to work.

Besigye was, however, released at about 5:30pm without charge.He entered his car driven by a man, only identified as Kato, and headed towards Kampala city.

Earlier, at about 8:07am, Besigye who was in the company of two other people only identified as Jethro and Martin, had just joined Nangabo Road when he met the Police.

He was advised either to use his car or be arrested.Besigye insisted on walking ing. The Police in a van with tinted glasses arrested Besigye, Jethro and Martin.

Kasaganti residents blocked roads with big stones.Calm prevailed during the day owing to heightened deployment as the Police removed the barricades that were erected on different roads.

The Leader of Opposition, Nandala Mafabi, was allowed  access to Besigye during the detention.MPs Nabilah Ssempala, Ssemujju Nganda, Wafula Oguttu and Alice Alaso were denied access.

According to Police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba,   Besigye was not charged with any crime since his detention was merely precautionary.

“Court advised us that confining him in his house was not right. That is why we decided to take him to a recognised detention facility. There were no charges against him because preventive arrest occurs when one’s actions are likely to breach peace,” Nabakooba said.

She added that Besigye had an option of returning home but he refused, hence the arrest. Since April, Besigye has clashed with the Police over his involvement in thewalk-to-work protests.