Dr Besigye: "Free Bobi Wine and other MPs unconditionally"
Dr Kizza Besigye has demanded for the immediate release of Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), the Kyadondo East MP and other legislators that were arrested in Arua and transferred to Gulu on Monday night.
Addressing journalists at his Katonga Road based office, the former FDC president said what was happening to Kyagulanyi and other MPs had happened to him and others who have opposed President Museveni.
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Government yesterday said they will charge Bobi Wine with treason after they allegedly found guns in his hotel room. They said they will arraign him before the army court in Gulu today. Other detained politicians include: Kassiano Wadri, the Arua Municipality MP elect, Gerald Karuhanga, Francis Zzake and Paul Mwiru.
"I have been charged with illegal possession of guns, I was charged with treason. These are trumped up charges. We demand that all those persons being detained should be freed," he said.
Besigye said no civilian should be charged in military courts.
He said military courts are supposed to deal with service discipline. they are part and parcel of hierarchy of military service.
"These courts are not only formed by Mr Museveni, they are subordinate to him. They have no protection of independence. You cannot try your opponents in your courts," he said.
Besigye said the violence in Arua on Monday which led to the death of Bobi Wine's driver, Yasin Kawuma, was instigated by Museveni's people when they started firing bullets.
He said that a team led by Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago had been set up to "help in conjunction with all those who are actively doing some work, to establish what needs to be done to achieve the immediate freedom of these people and their subsequent attention to get their health back."
Besigye said the arrest and torture of the MPs shows that parliament has no power.
He said: "All parliament can do is set up a team to look around. It exposes the powerlessness of parliament. Parliament is supposed to be the supreme organ of the state because all power belongs to the people and they exercise it through their representatives."
