Dr Kizza Besigye (C) speaks to journalists after appearing at Kasangati Magistrates Court yesterday. The Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the charges of incitement to violence against him. The FDC leader accused the President of allegedly using the DPP’s office to harass opposition politicians. PHOTO BY ISAAC KASAMANI.  

The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) yesterday dropped the charges of incitement to violence against FDC leader Kizza Besigye, although without clear reason.
Senior Principal State Attorney Ivan Nkwasibwe informed Kasangati Magistrates Court of the DPP’s decision. “This is to inform court that the DPP in his wisdom has decided to discontinue proceedings of incitement to violence against Dr Besigye,” he said.
Presiding magistrate Christopher Watyekere accordingly discontinued and discharged Dr Besigye. Outside court, Dr Besigye rapped the DPP for allegedly letting government use his office to harass the opposition.
“This case has inconvenienced us greatly, it’s clear the intention of government is to use the DPP to harass us politically but we are determined to oppose their criminal acts.”
Prosecution had earlier alleged that Dr Besigye, on April 11 on Gayaza Road, Wakiso District, incited the public by blocking the road, prompting people to turn violent. Dr Besigye was the protagonist in the walk-to-work protest called by a pressure group, Activists for Change, to protest the rising cost of fuel and other commodities.
However, the police disallowed the demonstrations accusing the politicians and organisers of ulterior motives. Dr Besigye and Democratic Party leader Norbert Mao were among several protesters arrested and charged on several occasions with various offences.

Before the same court, prosecution yesterday kicked off the hearing of another charge against Dr Besigye of failure to comply with lawful orders of a police officer.
Prosecution witness Mr Collins Mukiite testified. In his testimony, Inspector Mukiite, who was in charge of Kasangati Police Station at the time, told court that on April 11, he received a call from his boss, who he did not name, that a group of about 10 people, were moving on Gayaza Road towards Kampala city centre together with Dr Besigye.
He said he immediately proceeded to apprehend them and when he caught up with them, he questioned Dr Besigye, why he was moving in the middle of the road and yet it was dangerous for them and that they were also disrupting traffic.
Mr Mukiite said Dr Besigye replied by saying: “That is wrong and you should allow me to move.”
He further told court that Dr Besigye defied his orders and continued to walk towards the city centre with his supporters and that, when they reached Wampewo, he decided to sit down in the middle of the road and addressed the press.
However, during cross examination by Dr Besigye’s lawyers, the witness admitted to court that there is no law that prohibits people from walking but insisted Dr Besigye’s walking was illegal as he obstructed other road users.
The witness, who has served for 25 years in the force, was then asked to demonstrate to court the legal and illegal ways of walking. “With the illegal walking, he walked with his arms wide open while the legal one, he walked humbly,” he said, sending a packed court room into laughter.
On May 23, Mr Mukiite was suspended by the force on allegation of neglect of duty when he failed to deploy his officers to prevent Dr Besigye from leaving his Kasangati home to go to his party office in Najjanakumbi.
The hearing resumes on July 27.