Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer in the recently-concluded presidential elections Dr Kizza Besigye has been slapped with ‘unlawful procession’ charges.
Dr Besigye was arrested yesterday morning at the Mulago roundabout after leaving his Kasangati home, destined for Najjanankumbi where he was set to join other FDC supporters for prayers declared by the party on Tuesdays. However, as his car moved from home several supporters joined and formed a procession, prompting police to arrest him. He was later whisked off and held for several hours at Naggalama Police Station, while his car, a brand new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was towed by police to Kira Road Police Station.
‘Just released from Naggalama Police Station. I was charged with Unlawful Procession! I left home with one vehicle and never disembarked’, Dr Besigye wrote on his Facebook page after release from Naggalama.
And yesterday, following his release on bond under a charge sheet vide SD/33/05/4/16 drawn at Wandegeya Police Station, Dr Besigye was instructed to report to the OC Wandegeya station tomorrow, April 7.
It is not clear if tomorrow Dr Besigye wont attract the crowds that normally follow him, but what is for sure is that yesterday’s incident comes just a day after Dr Besigye ‘regained his freedom’ to move, following 42 of restricted movement around his compound.
The tiff with police stems from Dr Besigye refusal to accept results announced by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), declaring National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Yoweri Museveni the duly elected president after February 18 presidential elections.
The IEC said Museveni got 61 percent against Dr Besigye’s 36 percent, leading to the latter’s rejection of the results and his subsequent restricted movement.
