Former Ugandan premier Amama Mbabazi and former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Kizza Besigye have been arrested. Mbabazi was allegedly pulled from his car by police that blocked his convoy at Njeru, near Jinja town . From his car, Mr Mbabazi was dragged to a waiting police car that drove him away. Besigye was arrested at his home, he is understood to be detained at Naggalama Police Station.
According to The Monitor, the Police director of operations, Mr Felix Kaweesi who oversaw the arrest said the former premier was told to either drive back to Kampala or get arrested. He said Mr Mbabazi is under preventive arrest. “He refused to drive back to Kampala and we arrested him. He has been taken to a police station and the rest will follow,” Mr Kaweesa said.
According to New Vision, Kizza Besigye was attempting to force his way out of his home to go hold a rally at Kyadondo Grounds. Police were allegedly deployed at Besigye’s home as early as 5.00am local time Thursday. The arrest came as Besigye, who was recently nominated to compete against current party president (FDC) Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu, attempted to leave his compound.
Since the two arrests, Ugandans have taken to social media with their reactions:
#AMAMA MBABAZI # IS THIS REAL?AMAMA MBABAZI TO BE ARRESTED IN JINJA ALL THE WAY FROM KAMPALA?
— Esther Mirembe (@0774Sthr) July 9, 2015
@KevMcP Just know Parties work with EC and according to EC what Mbabazi is doing is illegal and Police enforces the law.
— Carolyne (@Muyama) July 9, 2015
#Mbabazi's ratings will obviously increase after this mngs drama to #Mbale. dont under rate him
— JayJayWaziri (@jjwaziri) July 9, 2015
They said that mbabazi has no supporters, why cant they let him go and talk the trees he will find in mbale as they say?
— Richard Kakooza (@RichardKakooza7) July 9, 2015
