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New Vision (Kampala)
December 22, 2003
Posted to the web December 22, 2003
Joyce Namutebi And Eddie Sejjoba
Kampala
THE Democratic Party (DP) has threatened to boycott the proposed talks between the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and parties following the arrest of four UYD activists in Sembabule district on Friday.
The district Police commander, Alison Agaba, yesterday said the four activists were being held there for holding an unlawful assembly and distributing anti-third term leaflets at Matete trading centre.
( What then are the talks for ... if citizens cannot air out their views in open regarding Museveni's wish for a third term? )
DP spokesman Jude Mbabaali said the Police, under orders from the RDC, Hassan Galiwango, arrested the activists who were "sensitising people on dangers of lifting the presidential term limit" at Matete on Friday.
Mbabaali said those arrested included the chairman of a pressure group, Popular Resistance Against Life Presidency, Muwanga Kivumbi and the former parliamentary candidate for Nakifuma, Kateregga Ssenabulya.
"As a result of these and other similar incidents, DP may boycott the proposed talks between the NRM and parties that are due next year unless the trend is changed.
"The party finds it immoral to hold talks with a regime that takes steps to provide an increased appearance of democracy and yet whatever they do on the ground is in total contradiction of what they say," Mbabaali said in a one-page statement.
I fully and totaly agree with this sentiment as expressed by Mbabaali
Matek)
Recently, unknown people beat up Makindye East MP and UYD Secretary General, Mike Mabikke and other UYD members at a meeting in Kabale town.
Agaba named the other activists as Mohammed Muwanga of Kawempe and Bukenya Church Ambrose of Rubaga.
He said the activists were addressing a public rally without the permission of the Inspector General of Police.
He said the activists were distributing leaflets urging the people to, "Say no to third term". He said the group would be charged in court today.
Agaba denied that the RDC ordered the arrest, saying he was not in the area at the time. He also denied that the detainees were denied food.
