Scores of people were arrested and several others injured Thursday afternoon in running battles with the supporters of Dr. Kizza Besigye at Pride Traveler’s hotel, which hosts Mubende FM. Trouble started after security turned off Mubende FM where Besigye was appearing on a political talk show dubbed “Agali Awamu”. The officers tried to gain access to the studios where Besigye was locked up in vain. As a result, Besigye’s supporters mobilized themselves and pitched camp outside the station building and cheered on the four-time presidential candidate.
Yusuf Kato Kibalama, the host of the program, said after fidgeting for about two hours, police officers led by Mubende District Police Commander, Martin Okoyo were able break into the studio. Okoyo ordered Besigye to come out and thereafter escorted him to a police van, which was in the packed inside the hotel premises. A team of FDC leaders led by their party president, Patrick Amuriat Oboi used their vehicles to block the hotel entrance to deny the police van exit. This prompted police to bring a Fire brigade truck to clear the way, which damaged the vehicles of the FDC leaders. Shortly after opening the gate, the charged FDC supporters and leaders demanded Besigye’s release prompting police to fire tear gas and live bullets to disperse them. Some of the FDC supporters sustained injuries while others were picked up and driven to Mubende Central Police Station together with Besigye. Harold Kaija, the FDC Party Deputy Secretary General, says they are still wondering why government is acting in a barbaric manners days after addressing the issue of political space in the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD). He said a team of FDC officials led by Amuriat are at Mubende Central Police Station to secure Besigye’s release. For comments, call or text us on 0752510225.
