Kisoro chairman clashes with DPC

ARRESTS | LEADERS

By Kate Atuzariirwe

KISORO - Abel Bizimana, the Kisoro LC5 chairperson, exchanged bitter words with the district Police commander, Charles Okoto.

Bizimana accuses the Police of arresting leaders. Giving an example of the Busanza chairman LC3, Didas Muntuki, who was detained for over three days at the Police, Bizimana says the Police should give respect to leaders when handling them.

"We shall not allow the Police to embarrass the district leaders. We do not condone impunity, but we want the leaders to be treated with respect," Bizimana said.

He said on several occasions, leaders have been arrested, manhandled and thrown into police cells like chicken thieves.

Muntuki was arrested after leading a demonstration against poor services in the area. He was detained at the Police for three days, after which he was charged and jailed for two weeks.

According to Okoto, the Police will not allow any impunity, saying no one is above the law.

"If you commit an offence, I arrest you. Everyone has a right to justice. Take an example of the former vice-president Prof. Gilbert Bukenya. When he committed an offence, he was imprisoned," Okoto said.

In October 2011, the Anti-Corruption Court sent Bukenya to Luzira Prison after he was committed to the High Court for trial. Prof Bukenya was charged with abuse of office for his role in the award of a deal worth shs9.4b to Motorcare to supply 204 executive vehicles four years earlier during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).