Besigye, Kayihura strike peace deal
Aug 14, 2010
THE opposition parties under the Inter Party Coalition (IPC), led by Dr. Kizza Besigye yesterday for the first time, held a cordial meeting with the Inspector General of Police Maj.Gen. Kale Kayihura.
By Steven Candia
THE opposition parties under the Inter Party Coalition (IPC), led by Dr. Kizza Besigye yesterday for the first time, held a cordial meeting with the Inspector General of Police Maj.Gen. Kale Kayihura.
The meeting was at the Police headquarters.
At the end of the meeting, Kayihura and Besigye, hitherto considered enemies, locked hands into a handshake and smiled for the cameras. The meeting, in the IGP’s boardroom, started at 2:00pm and ended shortly after 6:00pm. It was attended by other Police officers, among them Kampala Police chief Andrew Sorowen and Asan Kasingye, the Police Political Commissar. The IPC delegation included Joseph Bbosa (UPC); Asuman Basalirwa (JEEMA); Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga (FDC) and Mohammed Angualiga.
Both Kayihura and Besigye, who is the President of the Forum for Democratic Change, said the meeting was cordial and important.
“We had a frank discussion and agreed on ways to move this meeting forward and how to continue this interaction,†Kayihura said.
Describing the meeting as ground-breaking, Kayihura said, whereas the opposition raised a number of grievances as to how they are treated by the Police, the meeting agreed on how to avoid unnecessary clashes during the 2011 polls.
On the agenda was the issue of whether the opposition needed to seek permission or notify the Police before holding rallies. Other issues included changing the Electoral Commission and the disbanding of the Kiboko squad and other militias.
Kayihura said it was agreed that the opposition needed to only notify the Police before holding a rally and that there would be an investigation into the Kiboko squad, known for whipping and breaking up opposition demonstrations.
Throwing a few jabs, Besgiye expressed hope that the findings of the probe into the Kiboko squad would be made public, given that the Police says it does not know that group. “We have been linking it to the Police because the Police have been complacent and the group operating with the Police.â€
Both Besigye seized the occasion to dismiss speculation that they do not see eye to eye. “I am happy that I have been able to meet Dr. Besigye and if any one had any misconception that the two of us had a problem, I think that has been put right,†Kayihura said. He added “that NTV clip should be removed,†throwing those around into laughter.
The NTV footage shows a furious Besigye warning Kayihura, while repeatedly bellowing out name.
Besigye on his part said he has no problems with both Kayihura and President Yoweri Museveni, saying their differences are at official level.
THE opposition parties under the Inter Party Coalition (IPC), led by Dr. Kizza Besigye yesterday for the first time, held a cordial meeting with the Inspector General of Police Maj.Gen. Kale Kayihura.
The meeting was at the Police headquarters.
At the end of the meeting, Kayihura and Besigye, hitherto considered enemies, locked hands into a handshake and smiled for the cameras. The meeting, in the IGP’s boardroom, started at 2:00pm and ended shortly after 6:00pm. It was attended by other Police officers, among them Kampala Police chief Andrew Sorowen and Asan Kasingye, the Police Political Commissar. The IPC delegation included Joseph Bbosa (UPC); Asuman Basalirwa (JEEMA); Maj. Rubaramira Ruranga (FDC) and Mohammed Angualiga.
Both Kayihura and Besigye, who is the President of the Forum for Democratic Change, said the meeting was cordial and important.
“We had a frank discussion and agreed on ways to move this meeting forward and how to continue this interaction,†Kayihura said.
Describing the meeting as ground-breaking, Kayihura said, whereas the opposition raised a number of grievances as to how they are treated by the Police, the meeting agreed on how to avoid unnecessary clashes during the 2011 polls.
On the agenda was the issue of whether the opposition needed to seek permission or notify the Police before holding rallies. Other issues included changing the Electoral Commission and the disbanding of the Kiboko squad and other militias.
Kayihura said it was agreed that the opposition needed to only notify the Police before holding a rally and that there would be an investigation into the Kiboko squad, known for whipping and breaking up opposition demonstrations.
Throwing a few jabs, Besgiye expressed hope that the findings of the probe into the Kiboko squad would be made public, given that the Police says it does not know that group. “We have been linking it to the Police because the Police have been complacent and the group operating with the Police.â€
Both Besigye seized the occasion to dismiss speculation that they do not see eye to eye. “I am happy that I have been able to meet Dr. Besigye and if any one had any misconception that the two of us had a problem, I think that has been put right,†Kayihura said. He added “that NTV clip should be removed,†throwing those around into laughter.
The NTV footage shows a furious Besigye warning Kayihura, while repeatedly bellowing out name.
Besigye on his part said he has no problems with both Kayihura and President Yoweri Museveni, saying their differences are at official level.