Mr Otunnu, flanked by Mr Odit, addresses the media in Kampala yesterday. PHOTO BY GEOFFREY SSERUYANG

Kampala
The bloodshed that has been blamed on the government’s heavy-handed reaction to protests against high fuel prices and the rising cost of living yesterday prompted opposition politician Olara Otunnu to demand the resignation of the head of Police.
Mr Otunnu told a news conference that the Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, should take personal responsibility for the “brutality” that has unfolded each time security forces move in to break-up the Walk-to-Work protests.
Lost trust
“It’s under his watch that a baby was shot in Masaka, the killings that occurred in Gulu, Jinja and other parts of the country. I call on him to resign and I call on Parliament to investigate what is happening because he (Kayihura) has lost trust of the people of Uganda due to his conduct, incompetence and love to protect the NRM regime”. But police spokesperson Judith Nabakooba yesterday said it is the opposition to blame for the chaos. “Are they (opposition) the appointing authority? Aren’t they the ones who caused chaos? They should blame themselves not anyone else,” she said.
Hundreds have been injured since the walk-to-work protests began two weeks ago, at least five lives have been lost and scores are thrown into jail. There have been calls from world governments, human rights agencies, Members of Parliament and religious leaders for a stop to the use of disproportionate and excessive force against protestors.
Mr Otunnu also commented on the reported suspension of a police officer for his “professional conduct” during last week’s protest. “It’s a tragic signal of what our country has fallen to when a police officer who did his work and conducted himself and his officers well was suspended upon my walk to work last Thursday. I want to say that time has come for Kayihura … and I say that if there is any honour left in him now, then that is to resign,” Mr Otunnu said.
Mr Otunnu said the reported suspension of Mr Alphonse Mutabazi, Officer in Charge at Jinja Road Police Station, indicated that the police and Mr Museveni don’t tolerate divergent views. “Inspector Mutabazi, on the two occasions I have interfaced with him, conducted himself professionally... But what surprised us is that such an officer has been suspended.” Mr Mutabazi is reported to have been suspended on Saturday for letting Mr Otunnu walk to his party headquarters at Uganda House.
At yesterday’s briefing, Mr Otunnu, the leader of the Uganda Peoples Congress, also told journalists that he will only participate in talks with the government if the matters on a prospective agenda are reflective of the “serious issues” facing Uganda.
Willing to talk
“Museveni is the chairman of NRM and NRM is not a political party but a family political enterprise. Museveni is the President and he knows my views and I recognise him as President though he shouldn’t have been one but on those grounds, I have no problem to meet with him.” He added: “However, the issue is that I have no interest in having a photo and tea opportunity with him other than discussing issues affecting the country.”
President Museveni told Sunday Vision at the weekend that he was ready to meet with the opposition to discuss issues of concern to them under auspices of the Inter-Party Forum for Dialogue. Mr Otunnu outlined his agenda if he is to meet with Mr Museveni as free and fair elections, withdrawal of troops from the streets and end to what is happening now like the alleged indiscriminating killings. He said he won’t mind under what auspices such a meeting will be convened, but is rather more concerned with nature a proposed dialogue.