Following Rtd Col.Dr. Kizza Besigye’s detention at Kira Road Police Station on Monday by police, fear and uncertainty has gripped Ugandans ahead of Thursday’s General elections. Police briefly detained Kizza Besigye after he diverted his procession to Bombo Road before heading to Makerere University where he was expected to hold a campaign rally. Chaos erupted in Wandegeya a city suburb after police fired tear gas to disperse Besigye’s rowdy supporters who were pelting stones at police . Besigye was forced to abandon the Makerere University Campaign rally after the whole city was on lock down as police engaged his supporters in running battles in Wandegeya and downtown Kisekka market. According to NTV a one Dan Musisi lost his life during the protests and over 21 were arrested and will be arraigned in the courts of law.
In Entebbe Municipality the Forum For Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer for the Parliamentary seat Alex Gitta and Mayoral Candidate Miiro Kasozi held processions around the town over Besigye’s Arrest. According to Kampala Metropolitan police commander AIGP Abbas Byakagaba revealed that Besigye was released from police detention and was escorted back to his residence.
It wasn’t our intention to arrest Besigye but when we (police) saw the crowds surging to Bombo Road we had to swing into action because he (Besigye) didn’t keep his promise to directly head to Makerere University, AIGP Byakagaba stressed.
He added:
Our role as police is to ensure that no political activity disrupts the Kampala Central Business District (CBD).
Meanwhile RDC Rose Kirabira chaired a high level security meeting ahead of Thursday’s polls. A source privy to the meeting revealed that all bar owners will be ordered to close their premises during the polling day. However the source declined to divulge more information. The police plus the army and crime preventers will be deployed throughout the election process to maintain law and order. The meeting was attended by DPC Godfrey Ninsiima, all police OC Stations and representatives from the SFC.
For the last couple of days the Entebbe Municipality Democratic Party chairman Senoga Mivule has continued to issue threats of causing havoc if the Army especially the Special Forces Command (SFC) dares to connive with NRM Party officials to rig the polls. Unconfirmed reports indicate that some non-citizens have flown out of the country and will return after the elections are done.
