Police in Jinja have arrested former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Dr Kizza Besigye.
Dr
Besigye was intercepted at the new Nile Bridge and arrested alongside
the councillor for Bugembe Town as they led a procession to Busoga One
FM radio for a talk show.
Mr Augustine Ojobile, the secretary for
FDC’s electoral commission said Dr Besigye was also expected to visit
the building that collapsed in Jinja Town opposite Madhvan Market.
This is the second time in three days that Dr Besigye is being arrested in Jinja.
On
Monday, the four time presidential contender was arrested in Jinja Town
and detained at Nalufenya Police Station. Other FDC party leaders
including Mr Amuriat were also arrested in Soroti and later released.
They were accused of holding illegal activities without seeking authorisation from the police force.
Dr
Besigye, while responding to his arrest on his Twitter handle, said
they were taken out of Nalufenya Police Station and driven under tight
security to his residential area, Kasangati in Wakiso District.
“Abusing our rights will be very costly for the NRM junta. No turning
back. This is 2020, the year Ugandans must do everything to regain their
rights, ahead of the next election. Without rights, Ugandans have no
vote. This is our message to FDC’s 15 years,” Dr Besigye said.
“If
you obstruct us, we obstruct you; push us, we push you-double, double!
That is what happened yesterday and we shall not stop,” he added on
Tuesday.
Uganda Police spokesperson, Mr Fred Enanga said FDC was conducting rallies in open spaces without notifying authorities.
He
said police cleared their first national celebrations last year at
Namboole Stadium because they followed the right procedures.
“If they
(FDC) want to continue with their celebrations, they should formally
write to police so that they are given security. When they go outside in
open places to conduct their rallies, like they were trying to do in
Jinja and in Soroti districts, it requires that they formally notify us,
but they did not. We have been working with them but sometimes they
tend to ignore these to drag police in running battles,” Mr Enanga said.
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