Members of parliament have this afternoon described as horrible the manner in which FDC leader Kiza Besigye was arrested.
Legislator after legislator wondered why police decided to use excessive force against Besigye who was traveling in his vehicle.
Besigye was arrested for the fifth time this month after police used a sledgehammer to smash the windscreens and started spraying pepper spray into the car. Another plain clothed security personnel was seen holding a pistol and smashing windows on Besigye’s car.
The forced Besigye out of his car bundled him onto a police vehicle and drove him to Kasangati police station.
But both NRM and Opposition legislators were united in questioning the manner in which the arrest was conducted.
Theodore Sekikuubo, the Lwemiyaga county MP has described as banditry the act of using a hammar to vandalise Besigye’s vehicle. He wondered whether the ruling NRM government has become a “Hammar wielding government.
Speaking amid sobs, Beatrice Anywar, the Kitgum Woman MP, described today as a black day saying it was still hard for her to believe what she saw during Besigye’s arrest.
Bernard Tinkasimire, the Buyaga county MP, said that it was important for government to embrace a clean competition with the opposition.
Bugweri County MP, Abdul Katuntu, said that Government must treat Besigye’s manner of arrest with urgency.
In response, Crispus Kiyonga, the defense minister and Matia Kasaija, the state minister for internal affairs said they were ready to investigate the incident. The two said they would report back to parliament soon.
Besigye appeared before Kasangati court this afternoon and was charged with two counts of staging an unlawful assembly and assaulting a police officer. Court presided over by Justin Atukwasa, the grade one magistrate heard that Besigye assaulted a police officer identified as Gilbert Bwana.
Besigye was however not allowed to take any plea because he was unable to see and talk.
David Mpanga, Besigye’s lawyer asked for bail arguing that his client needs to seek medical attention before he can return to court.
Besigye’s co-accused, Sam Mugumya, Kalanzi Godfrey, Martin Ndyomuhangyi, Francis Mugisha, Kavuma and Fred Kato have also been charged with the same counts. They however pleaded not guilty to the charges; they were handcuffed and whisked out of court.
Besigye is expected back in Kasangati Grade one Magistrates court on May 2nd.
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