FDC president Col Dr Kiiza Besigye was on Wednesday blocked by police and stopped from entering Busoga Square, the nomination venue for Jinja Municipality East Parliamentary by-election.
Besigye was in the convoy of FDC candidate Paul Mwiru together with other party officials including the party vice president Salaamu Musumba, the leader of opposition in parliament, Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the party spokesperson Philip Wafula Ogutu, Kassiano Wadri, Wandera Ogalo and Abdu Katuntu among others.
After passing the first police road block manned by Jinja DPC Jonathan Musinguzi, the OC traffic Jinja police station Dickson Rugundana stopped Besigye’s vehicle and ordered him either to turn back or get out and walk on foot.
Efforts by Salaamu Musumba and Jinja district FDC boss, Abubaker Maganda, to convince the tough looking police officer yielded nothing for them as he stuck to his position.
Rugundana said it was stipulated in the Electoral Commission guidelines that there is no aspirant carrying a convoy of more than two vehicles. Dr Besigye’s vehicle was the third in the convoy after the one carrying the aspirant and that of Salaamu Musumba.
After about five minutes of standoff, Dr Besigye moved out of the vehicle and started walking on foot.
A visibly angry Besigye said when he walks on foot in Kampala, the very police officers arrest him and yet they are the ones telling him to come out of the vehicle and walk.
FDC’s Mwiru, who successfully challenged the election of Nathan Igeme Nabeta in the court of appeal, was the first to be nominated at 12noon before Jinja district returning officer, Flavia Mujulizi Natukunda.
The Electoral Commission Chairman, Eng Dr Badru Kiggundu and the public relations officer Charles Ochola have also camped at Busoga Square to witness the nominations.
