11 May 2011
Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has been allowed to return home after earlier being barred from boarding a Kenya Airways flight to Entebbe Wednesday morning.
Dr Besigye told reporters at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where he was camped all morning, that he will board the 5.50pm flight.
National carrier Kenya Airways confirmed this information.
“Kenya Airways would like to confirm to its passengers, customers, investors and the public that Ugandan Opposition Leader Dr. Kizza Besigye is now scheduled to depart on KQ414/11th May departing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport for Entebbe International Airport at 1750hrs,” said KQ Group Managing Director and CEO Titus Naikuni.
“Dr Besigye was earlier denied boarding on KQ 410/11th May at 0800hrs following information from Kenya Airways internal intelligence sources that the aircraft would not be allowed to land at the Entebbe International Airport if he was on board.
“Dr Besigye thus could not board the aircraft as Kenya Airways had to first ascertain this information without inconveniencing the other passengers destined for Entebbe.
Uganda’s opposition leader Kizza Besigye speaking at the Democratic Party offices in Nairobi, where he paid a courtesy call on party leader Joseph Munyao.
“The airline has now confirmed and issued Dr Besigye and his wife tickets to depart Nairobi this the evening. The airline takes earliest opportunity to apologise to Dr Besigye for any inconveniences caused,” said the statement.
This was corroborated by the Kenyan Government, which said it was aware that he was scheduled to leave later in the day.
“The Government is aware that Dr Besigye has been booked on a later flight to Entebbe today (Wednesday) but he is free to take any flight of his choice,” said a statement posted on the government spokesman’s website.
Kenya, however, distanced itself from the matter saying it was not involved in Dr Besigye’s travel plans and that the opposition leader was free to travel.
“The Government of Kenya wishes to clarify that Dr Besigye is free to travel within Kenya or travel from Kenya at any time or day of his choice.
“The Government of Kenya is not involved in his travel plans.”
Earlier Wednesday, he was due to fly out to Uganda after recuperating from injuries suffered during the Kampala food protests two weeks ago but was blocked from boarding.
He had sought treatment at the Nairobi Hospital and was discharged on Friday.
According to Uganda’s Daily Monitor, airline’s officials approached Dr Besigye and claimed they were informed by Ugandan authorities that if he was on board the morning flight the aircraft would not be allowed to land at Entebbe International Airport, 40 km outside Kampala.
He pitched camp at the JKIA departure lounge demanding an official explanation from Kenya Airways.
The latest development is yet another twist to the saga which has characterised the Uganda government’s heavy-handed clamp-down on the walk-to-work protests against high fuel prices and the rising cost of living.
Ugandan police had on Tuesday indicated that they would allow Dr Besigye to enter the country but drive from Entebbe in a convoy of not more than three vehicles escorted by police.
In Parliament, Yatta MP Charles Kilonzo claimed that the Kenyan government was returning a favour to Uganda by preventing Dr Besigye from boarding the flight.
“What has shocked us today is that the Kenyan government has refused to let Dr Besigye fly back to his country. Under what law can the Kenya government detain Dr Besigye?” Mr Kilonozo asked.
AllAfrica – All the Time
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Uganda: Besigye Prepares To Fly Home