Opposition strongman Dr Kizza Besigye’s supporters have early Wednesday morning stormed Makindye Magistrate’s Court in Kampala where IGP Gen Kale Kayihura and senior police officers are expected to appear to answer charges related to highhandedness in dealing with political dissent.
Carrying placards denouncing what they called ‘police brutality’, FDC fans said they intended to attend the trial of the police chiefs.
“We are here to witness the case where Gen Kayihura is charged for the inhuman acts of beating citizens,” said FDC activist, Brian Atuhaire.
“I can’t go away and it will only tantamount to a tag of war,” he added, in broken English.
“It’s only court when the Magistrate has taken his seat. We shall not move away with our placards.”
Chimp Corps have observed tension at the court premises.
There is another group of suspected crime preventers carrying folded placards.
Suspected Kayihura supporters at the court premises
The suspected police crime preventers remain quiet as they monitor events at the court.
Court officials said the session could not commence amid such politically charged scenes.
Makindye Magistrate’s Court last month issued criminal summons to the police chief together with a host of his senior commanders to appear and defend themselves in a case where they are accused of brutally beating Besigye supporters in different parts of Kampala.
Kayihura’s summons before the Makindye court was recently challenged by a city lawyer, Robert Rutaro who claimed it was unfounded.
Rutaro said Kayihura was executing his duties of protecting law and order.
Placards in the court premises
He further stated that trying Kayihura along with other police commanders would tantamount to double-jeopardy since the officers are already being tried in another lawful police court over the same offence.
Today’s court session attracted hundreds of people