Former FDC President Kizza Besigye has been arrested and detained in Kabale over the chaos that broke out in Rukungiri in which Police clashed with his supporters. One person is said to have been shot dead and many others left injured.
Besigye was intercepted on Thursday afternoon while traveling from Rukungiri to Kabale town where he was slated to appear at a rally for FDC Presidential candidate Patrick Amuriat.
He was arrested along with FDC mobilizer Ingrid Turinawe and Amuriat and police say the three will face charges including commanding the stoning of police officers in Rukungiri, unlawful assembly, and injuring police officers.
Police spokesperson for the Kigezi Region Elly Matte told journalists that Besigye will be held responsible for the acts of violence that rocked Rukungiri town. They face in excess of seven charges, he said.
“They must be charged accordigly. The charges that they will face include; unlawful assembly, murder, attempted murder, assaulting police officers while on duty, inciting violence, malicious damage to property, unlawful procession among others,” Matte said.
Moments after the incident in Rukungiri, Matte said that the organizers of the event would be summoned and held accountable for the damage caused.
He stated that the Public Order Management Act (POMA) provides that in case of any shortcomings during a public event, the event organizer will be held responsible.