Dr. Kizza Besigye Arrested Again For Protesting Against Escalating Commodity Prices
By Uganda Online Media
Kampala: Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) strong man and political activist Dr. Kizza Besigye has been arrested over his protest against the high cost of living and escalating commodity prices.
and locked up in a police van.
Besigye had attempted to resume his protests termed as “Muzuukuke” (Wake Up”) on Monday morning and has been locked up in a police van.
Prior to his arrest, Besigye had addressed the media in response to Museveni’s national address on the current economic crisis in the country noting that Museveni has not offered any tangible solutions in his address to the nation.
“We are on our own and therefore, we must find our own solutions to the crisis we face, Ugandans should wake up,” Besigye said while addressing journalists at his home in Kasangati.
According to Dr. Besigye, Museveni’s Sunday presidential address did not provide solutions to the country’s problems, especially the current economic crisis further noting that Museveni did not even think about his government’s wasteful expenditure in his address.
“In the budget that they have just passed over 2 billion to spend at his home with the wife and guests, how do you tell people to cut on expenses when you are living extravagantly?” Besigye questioned.
Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire confirmed the incident but insists that Besigye was not arrested but rather retrained after the scuffle he had with security officers.
“Besigye is not under arrest but restrained after a scuffle with police officers. We had to block him and in the process of blocking him, there was a physical altercation with our officers leading to his restraint. He is not under arrest but we are monitoring his movements,” he said.
The People’s Front for Transition, a movement headed by Besigye posted on Twitter moments after their leader’s arrest saying that police are acting like criminals and that the arrest will have consequences.
“Holding him at home will not solve the economic crisis we face, a crisis started by Mr. Museveni’s regime. No turning back. Muzuukuke campaign continues,” the Front said in a tweet.
The same incident happened last week when Besigye’s attempted to protest in Kasangati and police stopped his car with barricades as he attempted to enter town from Kasangati.
