Police in Kabale have this afternoon used teargas and live bullets to block supporters of former Forum for Democratic Change-FDC party Presidential Candidate, Dr. Kizza Besigye from escorting him around Kabale Town.
According to reports, trouble began after Besigye and four other opposition politicians City Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC Women League Chairperson, Roland Kaginda, the Rukungiri Municipality Member of Parliament and Mubarak Munyagwa, the Kawempe South MP elect appeared before Kabale Chief Magistrate's court this morning to answer charges of inciting violence during their rally at Kabale municipal stadium in 2002.
However, the hearing did not kick off as the trial magistrate is said to be away on court, forcing the Kabale Grade One magistrate, Martins Kirya to adjourn the case to June 6, 2016.
Now, shortly after the adjournment, Besigye and his team decided to take a drive through Kabale town in the company of FDC party supporters who hilariously knelt down in the middle of the road leading to Kabale district headquarters and part of Golf club at Makanga Hill.
Police would later attempt to evict the rowdy party supporters, but this would go in vain, leading to running battles, with Police firing shots in the air to disperse the supporters, while they retaliated with stones.
According to Besigye’s twitter handle, the opposition leaders decided to change course to Rukungiri municipality but were intercepted by police at Muyumbu.
Besigye who remained in his car and his colleagues tweeted the events as they enfolded;
“The Police has brought an armoured carrier and now they are fixing the winch to tow us away in the mountains towards Rukungiri.”
“Now being towed down the steep Rukiri mountain towards Kangondo in Rukiga county. Raining hard & slippery!!”
“Passed Reamucucu heading towards Muhanga town in Rukiga county. Seems vehicle is being broken into.”
“We are in Muhanga, Rukiga, they stopped in a swamp & holding canisters they want to break into our car & get us out.”
“Back on Kabale-Mbarara Rd. Patrol vehicle ahead of us goes beating up any Boda-Boda driver flushing V-sign.”
However, Ben Mubangizi, the Kigezi Regional Police Commander said they were only enforcing law and order.
