Uganda police lock up Kizza Besigye and deny him bail

Uganda's Opposition leader Kizza Besigye. He was arrested on Thursday. PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • Regional Police Commander Denis Namuwoza on Friday said Dr Besigye is wanted in Rukungiri where he allegedly commanded a mob that stoned police.

  • The officers were allegedly attacked as they attempted to disperse FDC supporters who had gathered to listen to Mr Amuriat.

Former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential candidate Kizza Besigye has been locked up.

Dr Besigye is being held at Nagalama Police Station in Mukono District following his arrest on Thursday.

STONES

He arrested along with FDC presidential candidate Patrick Amuriat and the party secretary for mobilisation Ingrid Turinawe at Burambira Village in Rubanda District.

The were seized on their way from Rukungiri to Kabale District.

Regional Police Commander Denis Namuwoza on Friday said Dr Besigye is wanted in Rukungiri where he allegedly commanded a mob that stoned police.

The officers were allegedly attacked as they attempted to disperse FDC supporters who had gathered to listen to Mr Amuriat.

Mr Amuriat was in the district to chase votes ahead of the FDC presidential election.

“He is wanted in Rukungiri on charges of attempted murder of policemen and holding unlawful assembly,” said Mr Namuwoza.

SURETY

Mr Namuwoza told the Monitor that Dr Besigye, Ms Turinawe and Mr Amuriat had been transferred to Nagalama for further investigation.

Kawempe South MP Mubarak Munyagwa, who visited Dr Besigye at Nagalama, said they (detainees) had been denied bond even after he and the Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago offered to stand surety for them.

“We are just from Nagalama. We offered to stand surety for them but the DPC refused, saying the charges against them are serious and therefore, they will have to be arraigned in court and prosecuted,” Mr Munyagwa said.

“When we asked them how they would be prosecuted when state attorneys are on a sit-down strike, the DPC said police will handle that. They were then returned to the cells.”