20110418
Monitor

Kampala — Opposition leaders intending to take part in today's walk-to-work campaign will not be allowed to leave their homes although Police authorities last evening denied that they have been placed under house arrest. However, it emerged yesterday that Police Chief Major General Kale Kayihura had ordered Kampala Metropolitan Commander, Grace Turyagumanawe and Paul Kato, the Metropolitan Criminal Investigations Director and others, to block the walk-to-work ring-leaders before they leave their homes today.

Gen. Kayihura gave the order as he toured Kasangati last week, the epicentre of Thursday's scuffle in which the main opposition leader Dr Besigye was shot in the hand and several others injured in the melee. "You should block him (Dr Besigye) at his gate not to allow violence affect other areas," Gen. Kayihura told the Kiira Road Police Commander, James Ruhwezi.

Dr Besigye and several opposition legislators were arrested last week as they walked to work--protesting the skyrocketing commodity prices in the country. They were charged with engaging in illegal procession. However, Dr Besigye who walked four kilometres from his home in Kasangati to St Andrews Church in Gayaza for Palm Sunday mass said; "No amount of intimidation or blockade by the state will stop the walk-to- work campaign from taking place."

Police didn't stop Besigye as he walked to pray. He walked back and addressed his supporters. He was responding to President Museveni who on Friday said the government would use all possible means to stop Dr Besigye and his group from demonstrating in Kampala. However, Dr Besigye said he was acting within the Constitution. "The intimidation Museveni is using is unbecoming of a head of state," Dr Besigye said. "Mr Museveni was not willing to speak openly on the real problems of the country: the abuse of the country's resource by corrupt government officials".

Dr Besigye also made a surprise visit to Mulago Referral Hospital where he visited victims of last Thursday clash with security forces. Last evening the Kasangati area witnessed heavy police and military deployment. Addressing Kasangati residents on Saturday, Gen. Kayihura said he would crush the walk-to-work campaign until the organisers notified the police. Meanwhile, Police has established a committee led by the police disciplinarian, Martin Okoth Ochola, to investigate the manhandling of civilians in Kasangati last week.

Charges

While by last evening Police had not yet deployed in other areas, rights activist, Mr Ladislaus Rwakafuuzi said blocking a person at his residence is unlawful. "It is unlawful. They can't do that. You can't detain a person in his residence without a court order," Mr Rwakafuuzi said.

Meanwhile, over 140 people were on Friday arraigned before magistrate courts countrywide over alleged involvement in the walk-to-work campaign. They were charged with holding unlawful assemblies, rioting after proclamation and inciting violence.

Reported By John Njoroge, A. Wesaka, Andrew Bagala, David Mafabi, Sam Lawino, James Eriku, A. Kirunda, Rajab Mukombozi