Inspector of Police General Kale Kayihura has explained that he during the weekend let FDC’s former presidential candidate Col Dr Kizza Besigye move freely in Mbarara to prove to Ugandans what he has always said about the opposition strongman.
The IGP told reporters at Mbarara’s Lake View Hotel that indeed true to his projections; Besigye’s procession through Mbarara on his way to Bushenyi on Saturday witnessed a number of skirmishes in which two of his police officers were injured.
He identified the injured officers are PC Paul Ouni and Elijah Byarugaba. A police file has been opened against Dr Besigye in this respect.
Kayihura expressed dismay that he has in the past days come under negative light when he spoke against Dr Besigye’s continued defiance campaign.
For this reason he said, he refused to arrest Besigye and his violent supporters who caused chaos in Mbarara town.
“Unlike last Tuesday and Wednesday in Kampala, we did not disperse them but chose to control them; ensuring that lives and property are not destroyed.
“The public should not be mistaken that the activities of Col. Dr Kizza Besigye were lawful and that police cleared them. Our intention was to let the truth come out as to who is responsible for what happens in these situations,” he said.
Police inaction according to the IGP, was also intended to show Ugandans that police has no bias on Besigye or the opposition.
He said Besigye’s convoy in Mbarara was intended to disrupt and obstruct the smooth flow of traffic in and out of the centre.
“Besigye was waving to the crowds along the Masaka road through his open-roof vehicle; this was an illegal gathering which proceeded all the way to the Grand Holiday hotel,” he said.
“As if that was not enough, Besigye held a convoy in the middle of the road at 4 Miles on the Mbarara – Ibanda road; blocking all traffic for minutes. Even the Chief Justice Bart Katureebe was held in the traffic.
“At this point his supporters started pelting stones at the anti-riot police and innocent bystanders when they reached Delta Service Station.”
Kayihura said that the crowds that moved with col. Dr Kizza Besigye, including bodabodas were not spontaneous.
“They were deliberately mobilized on instructions, and direction of activists of Dr. Kiiza Besigye like one Brian Atuhaire, Nicholas Atuhaire, George Tumwesigye, Charles Natamba of Kakyeka, Stanley Katembeya and others. These clandestinely held meetings at grand holiday hotel and FDC meetings along Markhan Singh street, they even advanced money for fuel for their supporters and mobilized people to turn up in big numbers, plotting to burn vehicles, stoning police officers and looting shops” he said.