Reports Leo Odera Omolo In Kisumu City
FORUM for Democratic Change (FDC) leader Col Kizza Besigye, in a surprise move, yesterday presented himself to the CID headquarters in Kibuli Kampala. He was interrogated by senior detectives for about four hours for allegedly saying the Government has sold Lake Kyoga to South Africans.
In Arua district, Besigye reportedly urged his supporters to break the thumbs of the ruling NRM party supporters if they flash their thumbs-up symbol publicly. Trhe NEWVISION reported today
Besigye, who a day earlier, had snubbed the Police summons, arrived at 10:25am in his Toyota Prado, accompanied by lawyer Yusuf Nsibambi. He was not done until 1:25pm.
Two other lawyers, David Mpanga and Ernest Kalibala, arrived earlier and were present as Besigye answered questions from the investigators.
The opposition leader is accused of making the “inflammatory” allegations at political rallies in the districts of Amolatar, Arua and Mpigi.
Top FDC party official such as Salaamu Musumba, Alice Alaso and Dr. Francis Epetait,were present during the interrogation.
Former army commander Mugisha Munutu, who will be competing for the party presidency against Besigye today, also turned up.
As the interrogation went on, tension gripped supporters when rumours erupted that the Police would detain Besigye and take him to Amolatar to face charges.
On Besigye’s arrival at Kibuli, chaos erupted when his supporters overpowered the Police and made their way into the building where he was being questioned.
However, CID deputy director for investigations Moses Sakira ejected the group from the building.
When Besigye was allowed to go, the supporters gathered at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi on Entebbe road, erupted into celebrations. They were preparing for the delegates conference in Kampala tomorrow.
“Party members were worried that their president would again be nominated while in detention like it was in 2006,” said national chairman Sam Njuba.
Commenting on what happened during the interrogation, Besigye said: “I recorded three charge and caution statements in connection with the incidents.”
He told journalists that after recording the statement, the Police told him he was free to go as investigations continue.
Sources said during the encounter, the Police played an audio recording of Besigye’s address in Arua, which he reportedly acknowledged, although he insisted he was speaking metaphorically.
The sources quoted Besigye as saying his comments were made in response to queries from residents and in reference to government policy to lease lakes to private individuals.
Besigye said he was also questioned about the incident in Maddu in Mpigi district in which a man allegedly attacked him during a rally. He said he had lodged a complaint in connection with the incident.
He said he had been reluctant to do so because the Police did not seem impartial in the matter. He reportedly pledged to provide the Police with his shirt which was torn in the Maddu saga. According to sources, the Police had wanted to charge him with inciting violence and sedition.
Besigye yesterday blamed President Yoweri Museveni for the developments. “I have never come to the Police on my own. Every time I have done so, Museveni has been the complainant,” Besigye said. He described Museveni as “a political opponent who does not know how to compete fairly”.
“In all the three places where they say I made inciting remarks, the Police were there but did not think that there was anything criminal in my utterances until Museveni’s directive.”
Commenting on the Maddu incident recently, Museveni said Besigye was attacked because of telling lies about the Government.
Meanwhile, the Police have summoned UPC boss Olara Otunnu for questioning for alleging that the prolonged insurgency in northern Uganda was masterminded by the Government to keep the area backward. He will appear at the CID headquarters tomorrow.
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