Besigye detained, released on police bond

By Innocent Anguyo, Carol Kasujja & Darious Magara

MUKONO - Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Dr Kizza Besigye was detained for several hours Monday at Naggalama Police Station in Mukono.

Kampala Police spokesman Ibin Ssenkumbi said Besigye was picked from his Kasangati home moments before he drove to the Kampala city centre to reportedly participate in a protest against tax increment in the 2013/2014 budget.

Besigye was in company of the party’s women leader, Ingrid Turinawe, who was taken to Kitezi Police Station.

The duo, arrested at about 10:00am, were later released on Police bond.

“We got information that they were preparing to cause chaos in the city. We, therefore, sought to restrain them from flouting peace and economic stability,” said Ssenkumbi.

In a press statement, Judith Nabakooba, the Police spokeperson, said: “The duo will be charged with managing unlawful society plus publishing and distributing materials supporting unlawful society.

"They have been holding meetings, addressing press conferences, promoting, publishing and distributing materials all in the names of 4GC, which is an outlawed organisation.”

The 4GC is an opposition political pressure group.

Old case against Besigye

Besigye and Turinawe were yesterday also expected to appear at Buganda Road Court over old charges of inciting violence. By press time, the fate of this case was still unclear.

Moses Kasibante, the Rubaga North MP and member of 4GC, could not leave his Lungujja home after Anti-riot Police ordered him to stay indoors.

The Police on Monday deployed heavily across Kampala in a bid to forestall any protests.

Lukwago

Meanwhile, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was escorted to his tribunal hearing by scores of Police pick-up trucks with armed Anti-riot Police personnel.

The vehicles sped through town, leaving no chance for interruption by Lukwago’s supporters.

FDC hits back

However, FDC, through Wafula Oguttu – the party’s spokesperson – angrily hit back, asking the Government to stop harassing their former party leader.