Police have opened up on the arrest and detention of FDC’s Dr Kizza Besigye, barely three days after freeing him from house arrest.
Besigye was by publication time still held at Naggalama Police Station, where he was taken after being arrested at the Mulago round about in Kampala.
The former Presidential candidate was on his way to his party offices in Najjanankumbi where he would join party members in their weekly prayer session.
The Police Deputy spokesperson Polly Namaye said in a statement that Besigye caused his own arrest when he decided to attract crowds to his procession.
“At Kalerwe 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 Kubbiri round about and at Mulago round about,” said Namaye.
“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.”
Besigye was asked by the Police to use the Yusuf Lule road as an alternative route, which he declined, questioning; “Do you know where I am going?”
Police according to Namaye, wanted to escort him through Yusuf Lule road to Najjanankumbi “but he refused and ordered his driver to park the vehicle.”
“This paralised traffic flow along the busy road with the potential that it could degenerate into insecurity for people and property. Col. Dr. Kiiza Besigye was then ordered to get out of the vehicle but instead he locked himself inside. This left the police with no choice other than to tow the vehicle to Kira Road Police station. He was later taken to Nagalama Police Station.”
Meanwhile at Naggalama Police, Besigye was on Tuesday evening joined by FDC party leaders including President General Mugisha Muntu, the Leader of Opposition Wafula Oguttu, the party Secretary General Nandala Mafabi as well as other officials.
Pastor David Ngabo who usually leaders the FDC prayers every Tuesday in Najjanankumbi was also part of this group.
In the police statement, Besigye was warned against inciting the public and “disturbing public peace, which could result into violence and damage to life and property.”
“Uganda Police 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,” added Namaye.