Ivan Kabaale, a journalist with Nile Broadcasting Service-NBS TV is nursing injuries after he was hit by a police truck towing the vehicle of Kiiza Besigye. The incident happened this morning, about 8 miles along Gayaza road. The police truck of registration number UP 2389 was towing Besigye’s vehicle to Kasangati police station after he was intercepted at Luwum Street.
According to Kabaale before he was knocked down, a plain clothed policeman approached him and ordered him to handover the television footage he had recorded about the arrest of Besigye. Kabaale says that he had the cop an empty tamp and jumped on a motorcycle and went ahead of the police truck to record what was going on.
He then proceeded to film as Dr. Besigye was towed to Kasangati police station. He says a few minutes later the police truck swerved off the road, hitting him together with the motor cyclist. Kabaale says that he survived with injuries on the knees, back and ankles saying that he was being transferred to Mulago national referral hospital for further treatment after receiving first aid at Medical centre in Kasangati.
Meanwhile, Kiiza Besigye is still being held at Kasangati police station without any charges being preferred against him. Nabillah Naggayi, Kampala Woman Member of Parliament and Ingrid Turinawe who were arrested together with him are also being held at Jinja road police station. Ingrid told URN on phone that they are currently being kept in a room at the Jinja road police station.
Shortly after their arrest Ingrid told URN that they had resorted to buying parking tickets, and stations their cars at gazetted parking slots since they are not allowed to talk to people.
//Cue in: We reached at exactly 6:30….”
Cue out:…talking to people.”//
The activists for change say this will continue until the police give them their right to freedom of movement and expression. However, Judith Nabakooba the police assistant spokesperson says all the activists are going to be kept under preventive arrest until the police is sure there is no breach of peace and possible destruction of public property.
//Cue in: It is preventive arrest…”
Cue out:…of the police act.”//
