Security Foils Besigye Plot, Arrest Him As Chaos Rocks City

SOURCE: THE RED PEPPER, 22 MARCH 2012

Security personnel in a scuffle as Besigye is being arrested

Forum for democratic change boss Kizza Besigye this afternoon, like a real trained commando, beat security and raided the city center, before his cornered at Ben Kiwanuka Street.

It not clear how the retired colonel managed to leave his home in Kasangati without the knowledge of security, however, police were shocked on hearing the hoarse-voiced politician was ‘walking, in the middle of the city, accompanied by Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kampala Woman MP Nabilla Sempala and Mubarak Munyagwa.

At about 12.00 pm, Besigye was reported strolling from Kalintusi boda boda stage near Clock Tower. He made his way to Ben Kiwanuka Street, before police intercepted them and asked what who had permitted them to ‘walk’.

Lukwago then explained that as the mayor, he had a right to tour the city and monitor road works being done in the city, and that he was taking his fellow politician Besigye around to show him the progress KCCA had achieved under his watch.

Time check 1.30pm. A crowd following the grinning opposition leader had grown big, throwing security in panic. Police, armed to the teeth, deployed around Ben Kiwanuka Street, Kikuubo shopping centre, Kisekka Market; the entire downtown was besieged like a battalion.

At 2:30, as crowds got out of control, police turned on their favourite style; teargas! The city centre was engulfed in teargas and gunfire as police battled thugs from the surrounding areas. Traders scampered for safety and they locked themselves in their shops.

Plain clothed security men struggle to pull Besigye out of Nabillah's car in which he was moving

It was like a scene from a thriller movie. At this point Besigye was arrested and whisked to an unknown destination.

However, that did not deter the rest of his crew to proceed with ‘their plan’.

Lukwago, Nabillah, and a host of several Besigye aides proceeded to Kyaggwe Road, where the woman MP’s driver was put on gun point and ordered to drive towards Kampala central police station.

The driver refused and proceeded along Kampala Road, as heavily armed police battled a surging crowd towards the Constitutional Square.

Teargas and bullets reigned as the stubborn politicians surged forward. The procession was finally trounced at Bank of Uganda near the Constitutional Square where Nabillah and Lukwago were arrested. Several of Besigye’s aides were thumped, and one nearly defaced by ruthless cops.

 Besigye is now reported to be at CID headquarters in Kibuli, though FDC members earlier claimed their boss had been kidnapped.

 Attempts by diehard opposition MPs like Alice Alaso and Wafula Oguttu to visit those under arrest at CPS have been futile.