Besigye refused to adhere to guidelines - Police

Feb 15, 2016

Police have a standing order not to allow any procession or campaign within the city center specifically city markets

Police has said presidential aspirant Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye refused to adhere to police guidelines enroute to Nasser Road in Kampala where he was meant to hold a rally.

Subsequently, police denied media reports that the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party flag bearer had been arrested.

"Our efforts were only to guide Besigye on which route to take and reach his destination without disrupting the city traffic flow," the Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga said.

He was addressing the press at the Central Police Station (CPS) today,

Enanga said that the police have a standing order not to allow any procession or campaign within the city center specifically city markets.

"Not only that processions in the city cause slow traffic flow but goons also take advantage to loot and destroy people's property," Enanga said.

Enanga explained that the standing order was given to the Kampala Metropolitan Police commander, Abbas Byakagaba to enforce and it followed a meeting by the Kampala Capital City Authority and the Electoral Commission.

 olice officers usher izza esigye into a police truck  hoto Police officers usher Kizza Besigye into a police truck. AFP Photo

"By Besigye defying the police guidelines, we (Police) used minimal teargas to disperse his procession and the rowdy boda boda riders at the Punjani round about as he headed to the city center," Enanga said.

He added that "Police has no objection to his (Besigye) campaigns in the city but we only asked for his cooperation for a common good."

During the scuffle, Besigye was picked by the police and driven to CPS, moments later he was transferred to Kira Road police station before the police escorted him to his home in Kansangati, Wakiso district.

Before the encounter, Enanga said Besigye had just finished addressing a rally in Kamwokya and was headed for Nasser Road, Kisekka Market, Kisenyi and later to Makerere University as he winds up his campaign trail.

As most presidential candidates converge in Kampala ahead of the polling day on Thursday, all campaigns end Tuesday.

Last week, authorities said they would continue to deploy the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces, military police and the Police's Field Force Unit across the country until April to curb violence and ensure safety of the public ahead of the elections.

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