KISORO – Police in Kisiro District have for the second time foiled a planned demonstration by youth and local leaders, protesting what they call illegal detention of former Inspector General of Police Gen Kale Kayihura, who hails from the area.
Led by Valence Nfitumukiza, the youth, on Thursday morning gathered in Kisoro Town, planning to start their walk. They demanded answers from the government on why Gen Kayihura has been detained for so long without any charges preferred against him.
However, security led by the Resident District Commissioner, Hajj Shafigue Ssekandi, stopped the demonstration.
“Leave the issues of Gen Kale Kayihura to the army because he is still part of it. Any person demonstrating without seeking permission from the police because Gen Kayihura was arrested and not yet officially charged, commits an offence and shall be held responsible for breaking the law as an individual. As the head of security in the district, I and the head of security institutions in this district shall not accept any unlawful demonstrations unless they are cleared by the police,” Hajj Ssekandi said during a press conference in Kisoro Town.
Hajj Ssekandi said any demonstration over Gen Kayihura by the army is uncalled for because he is still an army officer thus answerable to the army.
Over a week ago, the residents led by the district chairman, Mr Abel Bizimana, planned to stage a demonstration but it was blocked by police.
“Between October 2017 and March 2018: After our dear President Museveni declared Kale Kayihura (KK) as a true Cadre of NRM, what wrong thing did he do? Can a head of state afford to play a movie with IGP and later come out of the drama character? Free Kayihura. We can’t afford to look like drama actors,” Bizimana said.
Sacked on March 4, 2018, the former IGP was arrested two weeks ago on June 13, and has since been held at Makindye Military Police barracks where the army said he was being questioned on a number of issues.
On Wednesday June 27, the President used the security meeting with Members of Parliament to launch a blistering attack on Kayihura, whom he said ignored existing police formal systems and worked with some civilians who ended up destroying the image of the Force.
The interactive security meeting between the President and the MPs was closed to journalists and the rest of the public but sources that attended and followed the meeting proceedings said the Head of State said Gen Kayihura was often defending his police officers even when they had broken the law.
“The President said Gen Kayihura worked with Wanainchi to do intelligence and undermining formal police structures,” the source said.
However, the sources said the President did not mention the charges that the former police chief is likely to face.
The President’s remarks will come as a slap in the face and an indication that Gen Kayihura will soon face the Court Martial to answer several charges.
