You won’t kill activism, Besigye says
SOURCE: THE DAILY MONITOR, 6 APRIL 2012
An opposition supporter salutes Dr Besigye as he arrives at Kololo Airstrip for the A4C rally.
Forum for Democratic Change leader Kizza Besigye yesterday said government can ban the pressure group, Activists For Change (A4C) but not activism.
Dr Besigye said the personalities will remain even if the pressure group’s activities are banned.
President Museveni’s former personal physician was responding to Wednesday’s ban of A4C activities by Attorney General Peter Nyombi.
President Museveni’s former personal physician was responding to Wednesday’s ban of A4C activities by Attorney General Peter Nyombi.
“This question of banning A4C activities by government is a futile attempt to ban a name but you cannot ban personalities like Ssemujju, Besigye…” said Dr Besigye during a press conference at IPC office in Kampala.
“Banned organisations like ANC are the ones that have liberated nations like South Africa.”
“Banned organisations like ANC are the ones that have liberated nations like South Africa.”
Dr Besigye also wondered why government is banning A4C activities that is fighting to liberate Ugandans from dictatorship and has not banned Joseph Kibwetere’s cult which burnt thousands of people.
A4C national coordinator Mathias Mpuuga said the ban is null and void. Mr Mpuuga further said: “We are going on with our planned rally at Kololo Independence Ground and I urge all Ugandans to join us there.”
Film screening aborts
The activists present included Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kawempe Municipality Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Ibrahim Ssemujju (MP Kyadondo East), Brenda Nabukenya (Luweero Woman MP), Ingrid Turinawe (FDC women’s league), Nabilah Ssempala (Kampala woman MP), Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality MP), among others.
The activists present included Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kawempe Municipality Mayor Mubarak Munyagwa, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Nathan Nandala Mafabi, Ibrahim Ssemujju (MP Kyadondo East), Brenda Nabukenya (Luweero Woman MP), Ingrid Turinawe (FDC women’s league), Nabilah Ssempala (Kampala woman MP), Betty Nambooze (Mukono Municipality MP), among others.
Though high on the agenda was screening a one-hour film documenting police brutality against the opposition, the activist could not as police had blocked their gadgets from being taken to the venue.
Mr Ssemujju promised to give each supporter a compact disc to go and watch from the comfort of their homes.
Earlier at Katonga Road, the activists displayed numerous pictures showing police brutalising civilians.
Earlier at Katonga Road, the activists displayed numerous pictures showing police brutalising civilians.
They also displayed placards with inscriptions: ‘Stop torturing journalists’, ‘2-year-old baby Juliana was shot dead by Uganda police’, ‘Amin was better than M7 - discuss’, ‘I will walk until I walk to freedom’, and ‘Police stop killing us, we want freedom of speech’, among others.
Security was beefed up and all roads leading to the airstrip was cordoned off. The security was manned by police director for operations Grace Turyagumawe and Kampala Metropolitan Police commander Andrew Kaweesi.
Victim narrates torture ordeal
At Kololo Airstrip, the activists spoke one after the other, demonising police brutality. One of the alleged police torture victim, Sulaiman Kato, testified to the activists how he was brutalised by police in 2008, leaving him disabled.
At Kololo Airstrip, the activists spoke one after the other, demonising police brutality. One of the alleged police torture victim, Sulaiman Kato, testified to the activists how he was brutalised by police in 2008, leaving him disabled.
“Police got me at Kisekka Market. I was tortured before being detained at Central Police Station. As a result, I lost may manhood and my family has taken off and I am now suffering because of police brutality,” Mr Kato said as he sobbed.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi said police allowed the rally because they had already okayed it before government banned the pressure group on Wednesday.
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