Rukungiri killings: Besigye faces murder charges

Police battle Rukungiri residents who were protesting removal of the presidential age limit. PML photo.

By Mary Kisakye

Former FDC Presidential aspirant Dr Kizza Besigye was last evening arrested in connection with the murder of Opposition supporters in Rukungiri district.

Police say Dr Besigye is required to answer for the chaos in Rukungiri town that led to the death of at least two people and left several others nursing wounds.

Dr Besigye was arrested at Burambira Trading Centre in Bubaare sub-county, Rubanda district as he tried to enter Kabale.

Besigye had been invited by Rukungiri Municipality MP Roland Kaginda to address residents about the age limit bill that is currently on the floor of Parliament.

Police, however, used brutal force to foil the meeting, saying that the organizers had not sought police permission.
The action sparked off bitter exchange between the police and angry locals who tried to use force to enter Rukungiri Stadium, the venue of the planned meeting.

In the scuffle that followed, at least two people were shot dead and several others injured. Police, however, deny the killings.

They want Dr Besigye to personally account for the deaths. Kigezi regional police commander Denis Namuwoza said Besigye faces charges ranging from murder, holding unlawful assembly, attempted murder, assaulting police officers while on duty, malicious damage of property and holding an unlawful procession, among others.

Namuwoza said Besigye commanded people who pelted stones at police as they tried to disperse FDC supporters who had gathered at the rally.

Police say Dr Kizza Besigye will face murder charges. File photo.

“He is a wanted man and it is the reason why we have arrested him,” Namuwoza told journalists.

Besigye was returned to Rukungiri Police Station together with opposition officials he was travelling with that included Ingrid Turinawe, Erias Lukwago, Hon Roland Kaginda, among others.