DPP Sanctions Murder Charges Against FDC’s Besigye, Turinawe and Amuriat

The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Mike Chibita has sanctioned murder charges against former Presidential candidate Dr. Kizza Besigye and three other Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) leaders over the murder that occurred last week during a political rally in Rukungiri district.

Besigye along with FDC party Presidential aspirant John Patrick Amuriat, FDC chief mobilizer Ingrid Turinawe and councilor Innocent Tashobya are being charged for allegedly murdering one Edison Nasasira 22, a resident of Rujumbura constituency in Rukungiri.

Nasasira was killed in the commotion that ensued after Police fired teargas and live ammunition to disperse a crowd of opposition supporters in Rukungiri stadium. Police had blocked Besigye from accessing the stadium for a rally organized by Amuriat to mobilize party support for his bid.

This angered hundreds of people who had waited for Besigye’s arrival and chaos broke out. It is alleged that Nasasira was killed by a bullet but police denied this, claiming he was hit by a stone.

A day after the incident, Besigye, Amuriat and Ingrid were arrested in Kabale and rushed to Nagalama Police station in Kampala where they are currently being detained.

Police spokesperson AIGP Asan Kasingye says the suspects will be transferred from Nagalama police station back to Rukungiri where the alleged crime was committed.

In addition, the four are being charged with assault and illegal assembly, said Kasingye.

“The file is sanctioned and they are to appear before Rukungiri magistrates Court,” Kasingye said.

On the evening of the chaos in Rukungiri, the Kigezi Region Police spokesperson Elly Matte had told journalists that the organizers of the rally would be sanctioned and held responsible for the wrong doings; murder, assault of police officers and vandalism of cars as stipulated in the Public Order and Management Act.