Summary:
Among those arrested were Gideon Tumwesigye, the PFF Vice Chairman, Leopold Twesigye, the Secretary for Mobilization, and Godfrey Tushabe, a supporter.
KABALE: Police in Kabale District on Friday used tear gas to disperse and arrest three members of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) who took to the streets, demanding the immediate release of detained presidential candidate, Col. Dr. Kizza Besigye. The protesters also called for an end to the abduction of opposition supporters and the release of those currently in detention.
The demonstration comprised opposition supporters from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), the National Unity Platform (NUP), and the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF). The protestors were intercepted by police near Albertine Hotel in Kigongi Ward, Central Division, Kabale Municipality, before they could reach the office of Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Godfrey Nyakahuma, where they intended to deliver their petition.
Among those arrested were Gideon Tumwesigye, the PFF Vice Chairman, Leopold Twesigye, the Secretary for Mobilization, and Godfrey Tushabe, a supporter.
Before the march, Tumwesigye expressed frustration over the continued detention of Dr. Besigye, who remains on remand after being charged with treason at Nakawa Chief Magistrate’s Court, alongside his aide, Hajj Obeid Lutale.
Meanwhile, Sheila Kyampeire, the NUP Secretary for Kabale District, urged women to join the struggle and demand the release of Dr. Besigye and other political prisoners.
Kabale District Police Commander, ASP Charles Okello, confirmed the arrests, stating that the protest was illegal, unauthorized, and unsupervised. He noted that the detained individuals would be charged with offenses related to the breach of public peace.
CUE IN DPC OKELLO… ON THE ARREST…..LUG/ENG//
However, Conrad Kimonge, the PFF Secretary for Youth, argued that police had been notified about the planned demonstration, which he described as an effort to awaken Ugandans and other law-abiding citizens to demand Besigye’s release.
CUE IN KIMONGE……..ON THE ARREST……ENG//
