Dr Kizza Besigye, the former FDC president yesterday evening escaped from detention at Lira Central Police Station after he had been arrested in town.
Besigye escaped at 8.00 pm after his car and that of Ingrid Turinawe, the FDC secretary for mobilisation had been towed to the station following an arrest for allegedly holding an illegal rally in town.
Amidst a heavy downpour, police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd that had gathered at Mayor's Gardens to listen to the former FDC leader.
In the scuffle, two police patrol pick-ups blocked Besigye's car and towed it to Lira CPS.
According to Ronald Muhinda, Besigye's aide: "The DPC informed Besigye and Turinawe that he was going to charge them. Then out of nowhere, KB got out of the vehicle and moved towards the outer rail guard manned by police, bent over it and entered into a waiting car."
Off he went.
Police reportedly carried out a search operation in town trying to trace the opposition leader but their efforts were unsuccessful.
By today morning, Besigye's whereabouts were still unknown.