Ugandans will take charge of Besigye’s security
By George Murumba
24th January 2011
Who will guard Besigye as he campaigns?
The Inter Party Cooperation [IPC] has taken serious issue with the Electoral Commission over the arrest and withdrawal of Dr. Kiizza Besigye’s head of security.
On Thursday 20th January, the head of police security of the IPC presidential candidate Inspector Charles Tumuramye was arrested from Erute North Constituency and taken to Lira Central Police Station. The following day, 21st January 2011, three other police officers were also arrested. This has left the IPC presidential flag bearer Dr. Kizza Besigye without police security.
Reacting to the development, IPC’s Director of Communication & Publicity M/s Margaret Wokuri said, “…our concern is that the withdrawal of these police officers is a deliberate decision by the authorities to deny the IPC candidate security, rendering him vulnerable to security threats to his life and the IPC campaigns”.
Rather than rely on the State to provide security for Dr. Besigye, Wokuri said the IPC was now making it clear “…to the nation and international community that the IPC flag bearer’s security is now in the hands of Ugandans who are yearning for change”.
She further warned the authorities that should anything happen to the person of the IPC flag bearer [Dr. Kizza Besigye], the beleaguered Kiggundu-led Electoral Commission and General Kale Kayihura’s Police force will be held accountable.
She added that if the authorities had reasonable cause to arrest members of Dr. Besigye’s security detail, they should have done so in consultation with the IPC candidate’s managers. That, she said, would have helped both parties discuss alternative security arrangements. Please log into www.ugandacorrespondent.com every Monday to read our top stories and anytime mid-week for our news updates.
