Besigye held for hours in Namasuba church
SOURCE: tHE DAILT monitor, 26 february 2012
Kampala North Operation Commander, Sam Omala, flashes the NRM party thumb sign to opposition supporters yesterday during an A4C rally in Namasuba, Kampala. Photo by Isaac Kasamani
IN SUMMARY
Adamant. The opposition have vowed to continue with country-wide political rallies calling on Ugandans to advocate change in government.
Police on Friday night held FDC President Dr Kizza Besigye and other opposition politicians for several hours inside Omega Healing Church in Namasuba after a disagreement on which route Besigye and his supporters should use after a rally.
Dr Besigye and other members of Action for Change, who had addressed a rally at the church premises, wanted to use Entebbe Road but Police blocked and ordered them to use Gabunga Road that connects between Entebbe and Masaka roads.
They were later released after midnight and allowed to use Entebbe Road after Dr Besigye’s supporters had been dispersed with teargas.
The leader of FDC Women League, Ms Ingrid Turinawe, said they were surrounded as shooting ensued to disperse the gathering crowds.
“We didn’t know what was happening. We were blocked and remained stuck in our cars until late,” she said.
During the scuffle, cars of three opposition politicians including that of Dr Besigye, Kyadondo East MP Ibrahim Ssemuju and FDC deputy secretary for Defence Salim Angoliga were smashed.
“I cannot say it was police that shuttered my car but I blame them for creating that situation,” he said.Mr Ssemuju said his car was hit as police fired tear gas at Dr Besigye’s supporters who pelted stones at the police.
However, Kampala Metropolitan Chief Andrew Kaweesi instead blamed the opposition for inciting its supporters at the rallies.
“Dr Besigye and his colleagues will always be victims of their own perpetuated violent activities because stones have no eyes when his supporters are throwing them. They incite the youths not to fear at the rallies. What do you expect from these stone-wielding crowds?” he said.
This is the second time Dr Besigye’s car is shuttered in similar circumstances after police smashed a windscreen of his car before spraying him pepper last April.
At the rally that took place outside Omega Church, the opposition called on its supporters to unite and “overthrow” the NRM government using massive uprising.
Injuries, more rallies
The opposition is planning upcountry rallies starting next month.
The opposition is planning upcountry rallies starting next month.
Several opposition politicians were injured last week as police dispersed an opposition Activists for Change rally in Katwe
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