Police returns Besigye’s vehicle impounded four years ago

Police have finally released Forum for Democratic Change and opposition strongman Dr.Kizza Besigye’s vehicle impounded four years ago.

In January 2014, police arrested Besigye from his home in Kasangati before impounding his vehicle, a Toyota Prado TX UAK 773F before keeping it at Kasangati police station.

Police would then say the vehicle had been used to commit crime when it knocked a police check-point and injures officers manning it.

However, after keeping it for a period of four years as an exhibit in a crime, police has decided to release it.

In a directive by the Police Director in charge of Human Rights and Legal Services, AIGP Erasmus Twarukuhwa to the Kasangati DPC dated October 22, the vehicle impounded four years ago should return to its rightful owner after completion of investigations into the matter.

“Reference is made to the above captioned case papers in respect of which investigations of causing malicious damage to property of the government of Uganda by Rtd. Col. Dr.Kizza Besigye. The charges have now been withdrawn by the Director of Public Prosecutions but the exhibit, motor vehicle number UAK 773F belonging to the former suspect is still parked at Kasangati police station,” said AIGP Twarukuhwa in a directive copied to Besigye’s lawyers.

“This is therefore to direct you that the vehicle should be handed to Dr.Kizza Besigye for his continued use.”

Commenting about the matter, the four time presidential candidate described police’s actions of impounding his vehicle as impunity.

“My vehicle, Reg. No. UAK 773F that was seized from our Kasangati compound and held at Kasangati Police Station since 2014 has finally been authorised to be handed back to me,”Besigye said on his social media accounts.

“I have to hire a breakdown to tow the (now) scrap from the Police Station. Impunity!”

Police has for over 15 years been involved in altercations with police and on a number of occasions his vehicles have been impounded before being released to him later.

He has also on many occasions been towed inside his vehicle after clashing with police whose orders he has been defying.