Police block opposition rally, Besigye, Lukwago arrested

By Vision Reporter

Police on Thursday blocked an opposition pressure group, Action for Change (A4C) from holding a rally at Katwe, a Kampala city suburb.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) president Dr. Kizza Besigye, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and  A4C coordinator Mathius Mpuuga have been arrested.

Police had earlier warned the group that the intended rally was illegal. Police spokesperson Asuman Mugyenyi said the organizers of the rally had not notified police for permission.

Police arrest a man; Photo by Kennedy Oryema

A4C had organized a rally to address Ugandans over what they call 'matters of national importance', which they say government has failed to address.

Among the issues they want addressed include the high interest rates commercial banks charge on old loans which prompted city traders to strike last week.

FDC women league chairperson Ingrid Turinawe hoodwinked Police that had sieged her home early Thursday morning when she picked a jerry-can and headed to a nearby well and on her way jumped onto a boda-boda [motorcycle] to Kampala.

Police also blocked Kampala woman MP Nabilah Sempala and FDC official Ann Mugisha from accessing a venue of the rally.

Drama ensued after Nabilah locked herself in a shop at Katwe to evade arrest.  But Police forced the owner of the shop to open and ordered Nabilah out.

This angered residents who started hurling insults to Police, prompting the security forces to fire tear gas to disperse the agitated crowd.