Supporters of Gen Kale Kayihura have as well protested outside Makindye Magistrate’s Court, saying the Police chief must be left alone to enforce law and order in the country.
Kayihura is among senior police commanders summoned to answer to cases related to the law enforcement body’s highhandedness in dealing with opposition supporters.
Earlier, Dr Kizza Besigye’s supporters said they wanted to witness Kayihura’s prosecution.
The success of the case remains in balance amid politically charged scenes.
Kayihura’s supporters at the court premises
ChimpReports understands some of the key witnesses in the case have since accused opposition-leaning lawyers of bribing them to pin Kayihura, a charge the learned friends deny.
At the court premises today, Kayihura’s supporters said police bosses are being harassed by promoters of lawlessness.
“Police needs justice and not injustice. Kayihura is a free man,” reads one of the placards carried by his supporters.
They went ahead to force their way inside the fully-packed courtroom, saying Kayihura fought in the NRA bush war for the rights of Ugandans.
Hundreds of Youth said Kayihura was being targeted by promoters of lawlessness
“People can move freely without thugs attacking anyone all courtesy of him,” said Geoffrey Nuwagira, a resident of Ndejje.
“It’s time to work and not coming to courts. Those behind this want to destabilise peace in the country. They are self seekers,” he added.
While police have in recent months come under fire for using excessive force to disperse protesters, authorities have equally blamed opposition for holding unlawful assemblies that disrupt peace and orderliness in the city.
The youth said the Ugandan community lives because of Kayihura’s hard work
“We can’t allow IGP to be dragged in court by protestors who are seeking to satisfy their egos,” said Nuwagira.
Kayihura’s supporters outnumbered Besigye’s at the court premises.
Lydia Twinomujuni, 25, said “Those who personally beat Besigye supporters should be the ones to appear in court and not Gen Kayihura.”
The officers implicated in the beatings are facing police’s disciplinary proceedings.
Kayihura’s supporters chanting outside court on Wednesday morning
Another protester Harriet Nakitende from Wakiso said dragging Kayihura to court is not the solution now “because nobody is a 100 percent perfect. Besigye’s supporters were canned as a way of disciplining them.”
Pro-Kayihura supporters are chanting, ‘no court ‘ adding they are soon storming Parliament.
Kampala City Mayor, Erias Lukwago and other opposition heavies have arrived for today’s court session.
It remains unclear if court will proceed under these circumstances.