Opposition denies blame in inspector Ariongo's death

By Joyce Namutebi                                        

The opposition has denied responsibility for the death of assistant inspector of Police, John Bosco Ariong.

Ariongo was killed in a scuffle as the Police dispersed a crowd that was following the Forum for Democratic Change President, Dr. Kizza Besigye and Kampala Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago in downtown Kampala on Wednesday.

The Leader of Opposition, Nandala Mafabi said there was no way the opposition could be held responsible for Ariongo's death.

Addressing journalists at a press conference at Parliament on Thursday, Mafabi explained that activities of Lukwago and Besigye and the opposition are non- violent.

He instead blamed the Police for the death of Ariongo.

"Police should have provided security and not insecurity," Mafabi said while displaying copies of Lukwago's letter to the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura informing him that he was going to inspect roads and drainage channels in Kampala.

Mafabi said had he been aware of the road inspection by Lukwago, he would have joined him too.

He said a post mortem should be carried out to help the government know who and what killed the policeman.

On the request by the Speaker, Rebecca Kadaga to Action for Change (A4C) activists to halt their activities during the forthcoming IPU meet, Mafabi said, "You cannot refuse the mayor to work because of IPU."

He said that since A4C activists are not violent, they should continue with their activities. He appealed to the police to provide security for the meeting and assured that the opposition did not want to disrupt the meeting.

Mafabi revealed that his office strongly supports the motion to impeach President Yoweri Museveni and that he would sign at an appropriate time.

He denied allegations that the opposition was recruiting rebels and taking them to Congo. "The opposition is not doing anything subversive."