RUKUNGIRI – Dr. Kizza Besigye, the former FDC Presidential candidate, together with other three senior party leaders have been charged for disobedience and causing violence and released on bail.
The Rukungiri Chief Magistrates court released Dr. Besigye, Mr Patrick Amuriat Oboi, who is vying for the party’s leadership, Ms Ingrid Turinawe, party mobiliser and Innocent Mr Innocent Tashobya the Rukungiri municipality council speaker, after granting them a Shs 5m cash bail each, this morning.
They will report back on November 16. The Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and lawyer David Mpanga yesterday had filed a case at Nakifuma Magistrate’s Court seeking the unconditional release of trio, arrested together with Dr Besigye, a week ago.
The lawyers argued that the politicians had been detained for beyond mandatory 48 hours without parading them before the courts of law. The lawyers in their petition argued that the act is an abuse of their clients’ rights.
And the court was expected today to make its ruling on the matter. But on Tuesday evening, Dr Besigye and his group were transferred back to Rukungiri district where they were charged.
Dr Besigye and his group were arrested as they were heading to attend campaigns for Amuriat, who was traversing western Uganda, soliciting votes, to enable him capture the FDC presidency.
The Police blocked them from accessing the stadium, sparking off the chaos. The party supporters resorted to throwing stones and the Police fired bullets and teargas to disperse the angry crowd.
During the fracas, one person died.
Many politicians including Lukwago were expected to address their supporters about the dangers of amending Article 102(b) of the Constitution, to lift the Presidential age limit.
Lifting the age limit has become a contentious issue with opposition legislators organising rallies to mobilise against the move, while NRM MPs are meeting local leaders.
