The Uganda police force has explained reasons as to why long incarcerated former FDC presidential candidate Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye was Tuesday arrested as he attempted to head to Najjanankumbi at the party headquaters for prayers.
In a statement released last night, Polly Namaye, the police deputy publicist says Besigye was arrested in connection with holding an unlawful assembly between Kalerwe round about and Mulago around about within Kampala city.
“Rtd Col Dr. Kiiza Besigye was on his way to attend prayers organized by his Party at Najjanankumbi. At Kalewe round about, he started to flash his party symbol while standing in an open roofed vehicle, a Toyota Prado registration number UAW 616W. He repeated this at Kubiri round about and at Mulago round about. This attracted crowds to follow him, but they were blocked off by the traffic police to prevent them from causing chaos and damage within Kampala,” Namaye explains.
She adds that; “at Mulago round about, Rtd. Col Dr. Kiiza Besigye was advised by the Police to use the Yusuf Lule road as an alternative route. However, he insisted on accessing the city centre through Wandegeya. Traffic Police offered to escort him through Yusuf Lule road to Najjanankumbi but he refused and ordered his driver to park the vehicle.”
According to Namaye, this paralyzed traffic flow along he busy road with the potential that it could degenerate into insecurity for people and property.
Rtd Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye would then be ordered to get out of the vehicle but instead he locked himself inside, leaving Police with no choice other than to tow the vehicle to Kira Road Police station. He was later taken to Nagalama Police Station.
Namaye says that Besigye is strongly warned against inciting the public and disturbing public peace, which could result into violence and damage to life and property.
“Further, the Uganda Police Force assures Rtd Col Dr. Kiiza Besigye and all Ugandans of our commitment to ensure exercise of individual rights and freedoms. However, this must not be to the prejudice or at the expense of rights and freedoms of others or public security and safety.”
