Dr. Besigye working with thugs to cause chaos - Police

By Darious Magara, Innocent Anguyo and Shamim Saad  

Anyone found using or selling uniforms of the security forces or related gear faces treason charges, police has warned.

The Kampala metropolitan police commander, Andrew Kaweesi said   that armed gangs committing crime in Kampala and its surroundings have in the recent past increasingly been using army uniforms or similar attire.

“We shall prosecute anyone found wearing and selling army uniform and they will be charged with treason,” Kaweesi stressed.       

The police commander told journalists at his office that "all necessary force will be used to fight armed thugs who may want to disrupt peace this week as the country prepares to celebrate the golden jubilee.

Kaweesi also said that some armed thugs were working with the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party President Dr. Kiiza Besigye to cause mayhem during riots.

"Dr. Besigye is very desperate that is why he is working with armed thugs to cause blood shed during riots so that they taint the image of the Government,” Kaweesi added.  


However, Dr. Besigye in his response has angrily refuted allegations linking him to such armed groups.

"Of course, it's not true, but, it's understandable that the police and government in general have been desperately trying to associate me and our struggle with violence" he said during an interview on Tuesday.

"The government and security have failed to get an appropriate response to nonviolent protests," Besigye said while addressing the press from his Kasangati home.

 Besigye also scoffed at recent Police directives banning demonstrations and rallies.
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He (Besigye) insists that their new political pressure activities dubbed 'walk to freedom' demonstrations will continue saying they are engaged in a liberation struggle.

"We want the change to be driven by unarmed people working in unity to assert their power that is the only way we can ensure sustainable transition to a democratic dispensation as opposed to armed rebellion," Besigye said.

Besigye described Kasagati cell where he was held on Monday saying it is in despicable state, without any form of ventilation and lighting.

He further described the cell as eight (8) by ten (10) foot in size and that he shared it with 20 other inmates.