Police, People Power supporters trade insults at police station

A scuffle ensued at Kawempe Police Station yesterday when the Kawempe Mayor Emmanuel Sserunjogi and members of the People Power pressure group camped at the station demanding the release of one of their own, Moses Bigirwa.

Bigirwa was arrested as he left a television talk show last year.

Sserunjogi engaged police in a shouting match after he refused to sit down demanding that he be allowed to see Bigiriwa.

“The reason why I’m here is because Bigirwa is here” Sserunjogi said

The mayor said since his arrest on 29th December after a television talk show, Bigirwa has not been released or been taken to court.

He and members of the People Power fraternity camped at police demanding his release or arraignment in court.

Benjamin Katana lawyer from Pace Advocates said: “We demand that police brings to an end its unlawful detention of Mr. Moses Bigirwa. He has been in detention since Saturday which is a violation of his rights.”

Racheal Bigirwa a wife to Bigirwa said: “I have been coming here since Saturday and they keep telling me police is on holiday. I don’t know when the holiday ends. I was operated the very day my husband was arrested and I’m struggling on my own yet I critically need his support at this time.”

The mayor who said his office duties will be performed at the station also threatened to mobilise more people and leaders to come to the police station if the detainee is not released.

Kizza Hakeem, an activist affiliated to people power said they will not tire until all their colleagues who were arrested during the festive season are released.

Among those arrested is Julius Katongole a renowned member of People Power who is detained at Katwe police station over allegations of inciting violence in a demo that happened at Katwe.