Kiiza Besigye, the Forum for Democratic Change president is under preventive arrest, Kyandondo East MP Ibrahim Ssemuju Nganda has said. He claims that Andrew Kaweesi, Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander informed them this afternoon in a meeting at Kasangati police station that Besigye is under preventive arrest.
Besigye was picked up by police this morning along Nabugabo road while walking to Kasangati trading center. He was whisked off by Police to Kasangati Police Station where he is being held in the Office of OC Station. Several FDC legislators led by Salaamu Musumba, the FDC vice president in charge of Eastern Uganda rushed to Kasaganti Police station to bail out their leader in vain.
According to Ssemujju, Kawesi told them that they decided to arrest Besigye and hold him at Kasangati Police Station to prevent him from walking in compliance with the recent court ruling. He says that Kaweesi told them that Besigye will not be released until he denounces the walk to work protests. Ssemujju says that as a result they have resolved to pitch camp at Kasangati police station until Besigye is released.
He says that the MPs are prepared to bring their mattresses and sleep in the compound of the police station until Besigye is set free. Ssemujju has promised to petition parliament over the state of affairs in Kasangati. He claims that police prevents residents from going on with their work which is a threat to their survival.
URN could not independently verify the claims by Ssemujju as Kaweesi was still locked up in a meeting with FDC leaders. Last week Kasangati Grade One magistrate Jessica Chemery ruled that the confinement of Besigye at his residence was unlawful.
