Saturday, January 25, 2014

Besigye freed in time for daughter’s giveaway

Former FDC president Kizza Besigye (C) emerges with his supporters from Kasangati Court soon after a hearing of one his cases. The court is a subject of investigation following reports of institutionalised corruption.
By Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi

Kampala
Former FDC party president Kizza Besigye was released from police jail on Friday night after several hours in detention.


 
At the time of arrest, Dr Besigye was preparing for his daughter’s kuhingira (traditional giveaway ceremony) at his home, in Kampala City’s neighbourhood of Kasangati. He was taken to Naggalama Police Station in Mukono District.

The police accused him of knocking their vehicle at the gate of his home. Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi alleged that Dr Besigye knocked the police vehicle manning a checkpoint at Kasangati, injuring some police officers. He said the injured police officers were hospitalised, although he could not disclose their identities or where they were being treated.

However Dr Besigye, dismissed the claims as lies. “They are just telling the usual lies. They grabbed me from my compound, so where would I have caused the traffic accident? But even if I had caused a traffic accident, why would they have to imprison me in Naggalama?” Besigye asked.

Besigye recorded a statement at Naggalama Police Station before he was released on police bond around 10pm on Friday. Relatives had feared that his detention would jeopardise the kuhingira function. But Besigye had told his relatives to proceed with the ceremony if he remained in jail.

The FDC Women League leader, Ms Ingrid Turinawe, dismissed police claims that Dr Besigye was driving without a permit. “Does police look for driving permits from people’s homes?” Ms Turinawe asked. Sunday Monitor learnt that the arrest was a move to block Dr Besigye from proceeding to the city to attend the reading of a ruling on Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago’s case on Friday.
emukiibi@ug.nationmedia.com

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