FDC rioters arrested
Aug 18, 2009
<b>Besigye’s personal assistant detained in city demo</b><br><br>EIGHT FDC officials were yesterday arrested by the Police as they led a demonstration in Kampala against the re-appointment of the Electoral Commission officials.
Besigye’s personal assistant detained in city demo
By Steven Candia, Chris Kiwawulo & Charles Ariko
EIGHT FDC officials were yesterday arrested by the Police as they led a demonstration in Kampala against the re-appointment of the Electoral Commission officials.
The suspects, mainly youth, were rounded up near the party’s office at City House on Kampala Road as they attempted to march to Parliament to hand in a petition.
They face charges of inciting violence, the Police said.
They had also wanted to march on the EC offices on Jinja Road and forcefully eject chairman Badru Kiggundu and other electoral commissioners.
The demonstrators first attempted to march towards the Central Police Station before abruptly changing course to Parliament, but the Police blocked them.
Shop attendants on William Street closed their premises for fear of looters.
The city centre was treated to intermittent chaotic scenes as anti-riot Police pursued the protesters.
Speeding Police vehicles whisked away suspects.
The day started quietly with heavy Police deployment on most streets until around 11:00am when officers arrested the Forum for Democratic Change defence secretary, Hajji Twalibu Kakande, over inciting the public to demonstrate.
A heated verbal exchange and scuffle between Kakande and senior Police officers erupted before he was overpowered and bundled onto a waiting Police pick-up truck.
Also arrested were Mukiibi Sserunjogi, the spokesperson of the FDC youth league, Muhammad Ali Buni Mutaasa, the secretary for mobilisation, Catherine Dembe and secretary for labour. Sam Mugumya, the personal assistant of party chief Kizza Besigye, had already been detained.
He was arrested along with Martin Musazi Kanuma, the FDC Kampala central division chairperson, Joseph Mulyankya and Andrew Wakibogo, both sympathisers.
The Police deployed heavily at Parliament and the EC offices, while pedestrians and vehicles entering the two premises were thoroughly checked.
At Parliament, anti-riot Police attempted to stop journalists from covering the proceedings. “Go away, all of you. If you do not, I will teargas you,†the officer ordered to no avail.
He was restrained by Kampala Metropolitan Police chief Andrew Sorowen.
Sorowen said Police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura had not cleared the demonstration, which was, therefore, illegal.
At the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi on the Kampala-Entebbe road, the party offices were closed most of the day.
The shops opposite the offices also remained shut as the Police patrolled the area.
Party spokesperson Wafula Oguttu said they were forced to close the offices because of ‘Police harassment’.
Unlike previous demonstrations, FDC bigwigs, including Besigye, were absent but were reportedly planning to meet later in the day.
The opposition opposes the re-appointment of the commission, saying it is too incompetent to handle the 2011 poll. Despite this, MPs last week endorsed the re-appointment of the commissioners.
Kiggundu said he is the man for the job. The other commissioners are Joseph Biribonwa, Tom Buruku, Dr. Jenny Okello and Stephen Ongaria.
A teacher from Mbarara, Justine Mugabi, replaces Sister Margaret Magoba, who had served the maximum two terms.
By Steven Candia, Chris Kiwawulo & Charles Ariko
EIGHT FDC officials were yesterday arrested by the Police as they led a demonstration in Kampala against the re-appointment of the Electoral Commission officials.
The suspects, mainly youth, were rounded up near the party’s office at City House on Kampala Road as they attempted to march to Parliament to hand in a petition.
They face charges of inciting violence, the Police said.
They had also wanted to march on the EC offices on Jinja Road and forcefully eject chairman Badru Kiggundu and other electoral commissioners.
The demonstrators first attempted to march towards the Central Police Station before abruptly changing course to Parliament, but the Police blocked them.
Shop attendants on William Street closed their premises for fear of looters.
The city centre was treated to intermittent chaotic scenes as anti-riot Police pursued the protesters.
Speeding Police vehicles whisked away suspects.
The day started quietly with heavy Police deployment on most streets until around 11:00am when officers arrested the Forum for Democratic Change defence secretary, Hajji Twalibu Kakande, over inciting the public to demonstrate.
A heated verbal exchange and scuffle between Kakande and senior Police officers erupted before he was overpowered and bundled onto a waiting Police pick-up truck.
Also arrested were Mukiibi Sserunjogi, the spokesperson of the FDC youth league, Muhammad Ali Buni Mutaasa, the secretary for mobilisation, Catherine Dembe and secretary for labour. Sam Mugumya, the personal assistant of party chief Kizza Besigye, had already been detained.
He was arrested along with Martin Musazi Kanuma, the FDC Kampala central division chairperson, Joseph Mulyankya and Andrew Wakibogo, both sympathisers.
The Police deployed heavily at Parliament and the EC offices, while pedestrians and vehicles entering the two premises were thoroughly checked.
At Parliament, anti-riot Police attempted to stop journalists from covering the proceedings. “Go away, all of you. If you do not, I will teargas you,†the officer ordered to no avail.
He was restrained by Kampala Metropolitan Police chief Andrew Sorowen.
Sorowen said Police chief Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura had not cleared the demonstration, which was, therefore, illegal.
At the FDC headquarters in Najjanankumbi on the Kampala-Entebbe road, the party offices were closed most of the day.
The shops opposite the offices also remained shut as the Police patrolled the area.
Party spokesperson Wafula Oguttu said they were forced to close the offices because of ‘Police harassment’.
Unlike previous demonstrations, FDC bigwigs, including Besigye, were absent but were reportedly planning to meet later in the day.
The opposition opposes the re-appointment of the commission, saying it is too incompetent to handle the 2011 poll. Despite this, MPs last week endorsed the re-appointment of the commissioners.
Kiggundu said he is the man for the job. The other commissioners are Joseph Biribonwa, Tom Buruku, Dr. Jenny Okello and Stephen Ongaria.
A teacher from Mbarara, Justine Mugabi, replaces Sister Margaret Magoba, who had served the maximum two terms.