This week started on Monday October 3rd with dramatic scenes at Entebbe international airport where top FDC & other opposition officials had showed up to welcome Dr. Kiiza Besigye back from abroad.
However, the police were more intelligent and blocked the officials including Erias Lukwago, Allan Ssewanyana, Ingrid Turinawe, Ssegirinya Muhammad and the press from accessing the former presidential candidate.
Upon arrival, Besigye was arrested and whisked to Kasangati, while officials waited at the airport. These would later be saved of embarrassment by passengers who were aboard the same plane as Besigye and had seen him being taken away.
The leaders later followed Besigye to Kasangati where they threw him a mega homecoming party.
On Tuesday, Besigye’s woes were a continuation. The strong man’s car was towed when he attempted to access the city centre after reporting at High court as part of his Bail conditions.
Besigye who had been allowed to visit Nsambya attempted to access the busy town using queens way but was blocked by police, when they could not agree on where to go, the police towed his car and took him back home.
On the same day, President Yoweri Museveni flew to Nangoma peninsular and Minziiro in Rakai district, almost a month after the areas were hit by an earthquake to see the victims. The earthquake left thousands of residents homeless.
The victims had threatened to stage public protests to denounce president Museveni for rushing to aid the earthquake victims in Bukoba Tanzania in disregard of his own countrymen.
On Tuesday, Museveni visited the area amid growing discontent and called for calm among the earthquake victims, saying government would provide 30 Iron sheets, bricks, cement and iron bars to each of the affected families to help them rebuild their houses.
On Wednesday, At least four media houses shunned summons to appear before the Rules, discipline and privileges committee of Parliament over negative publicity to parliament.
They Include the Observer, Daily Monitor, the Red Pepper and Uganda Radio Network-URN. Only New Vision, represented by Barbara Kaija, the Editor-in-Chief and editorial overseer of Vision Group publications and broadcast platforms honored the summons. She was accompanied by John Kakande, the Editor in charge of New Vision and the company Legal Officer Tonny Raymond Kirabira.
Three of the media houses; URN, Daily Monitor and Red Pepper said they had not received summons to the committee while The Observer questioned the jurisdiction of the committee to summon editors to appear before it to clarify matters falling within their editorial discretion.
On the same day, the country joined the rest of the world to celebrate the World Teachers’ day. Teachers celebrated in their respective districts amid calls for salary payment and increment.
On Thursday, Besigye called another press conference to explain his visit to the Americas where he spoke at the 28th UNAA convention in Boston. Besigye told the nation that the ruling NRM party has infiltrated UNAA and divided the group into two.
Besigye also accused President Museveni of being Uganda’s main problem and the reason people are jumping off buildings in Kampala.
Well the week ends today with Besigye beating security at his home to attend burial of former Makindye chief magistrate in Sironko.
Also as the weekends, several opposition leaders’ homes are under police lockdown. Expect an action packed next week. We shall be updating you.
Enjoy your weekend.