Kizza Besigye brutally arrested:Released without a charge

Edward Echwalu - Documentary Photographer

Kizza Besigye, the opposition leader for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) was again arrested for the fourth time in as many days. This time, it was brutal. Brutal. Brutal….He was later released with no charge.

We go through a tough time as photographers to record events as they happen. Sometimes you even get emotional and sometimes you don’t.

These are assignments i find very exciting because it provides an opportunity to record not just historical images but events too. Today however, I got little bit emotional and sympathetic to Besigye and his supporters.

They were arrested in a manner I thought was quite inhumane. Remember what our constitutional says about such treatment.

“No person shall be subjected to any form of torture or cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment,” Article 24, Constitution of the Republic of Uganda

Military Police rain on the streets of Kalerwe shortly before Kizza Besigye was arrested on April 28, 2011

Military rain on the streets shortly before Opposition leader, Kizza Besigye was arrested on April 28, 2011

Kizza Besigye waves to his supporters shortly before being arrested at Mulago round about on April 28, 2011

Gilbert Arinaitwe from the Elite Brigade (not formal) of the Uganda Police smashes the windscreen of Kizza Besigye's car with the butt of a pistol before arresting him on April 28, 2011

After smashing the windscreen, Pepper Spray together with teargas was sprayed on Kizza Besigye before being arrested on April 28, 2011

Too much Pepper Spray rendered Kizza Besigye and some of his supporter helpless before being arrested on April 28, 2011

......and he was pushed under a pick-up like a potato thief

Kizza Besigye's car after he was arrested at Mulago round about. He was released on police bond without any charge at Kasangati Magistrates court

Journalists took the law into their hands and manhandled a man masquerading as a journalist. He was whisked away by plane clothed security men

One of the men who did everything to protect Kizza Besigye is arrested after being sprayed with cans and cans of teargas/Pepper spray

The men who brutally arrested Kizza Besigye and his supporters. Their attachment is what i can't ascertain but talk out there thinks they are from Uganda’s anti-terrorism unit. (JATT).  One observation about these men is that they always tried to cover their faces from being captured on camera.


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