Police disperse opposition politicians in Wakiso

Aug 18, 2011

OPPOSITION politicians were yesterday twice sprayed with a pink liquid as the Police dispersed them in Kireka, a city suburb.

By Andrew Ssenyonga, Steven Candia and Herbert Ssempogo

OPPOSITION politicians were yesterday twice sprayed with a pink liquid as the Police dispersed them in Kireka, a city suburb.

They were drenched after rejecting advice to relocate their rally from the Kireka Taxi Park to a nearby rehabilitation centre.

Among the politicians was the leader of opposition, Nandala Mafabi, Kyadondo East MP Ssemujju Nganda, former Rubaga North contender Moses Kasibante and Nangabo sub-county boss Tom Ssempebwa.

Shortly after, they converged at the rehabilitation centre where Nganda announced that they awaited a public address system. He added that they would later march to his office in Bweyogerere, another suburb.

No sooner had Nganda made his pronouncement to the over 400 people than the Police struck again.

Unlike the first time, the Police combined the liquid with teargas and bullets in the air. Traders in the vicinity hurriedly closed their shops. By press time, the politician’s whereabouts could not be established.

Organised by Action for Change (A4C), a pressure group, the function was also reportedly meant to pray for people who died during the walk-to-work protests in April and May.

On Tuesday night, the Police reportedly impounded a public address system which was announcing the function.

However, a Police officer, who preferred anonymity, said the car on which it was mounted was held over a traffic matter. It reportedly had faulty lights. The men on the vehicle were also reportedly detained.

The two parties had on Tuesday night held a meeting at the Police headquarters in Kampala to compromise but the issue of the venue remained unresolved.

Consequently, the Police warned that it would block the rally.

“We agreed on many other issues but failed to agree on the venue. As such, we will not allow them to go ahead with the planned function and have already deployed to ensure that the function does not take place,” the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Ibin Ssenkumbi, said yesterday.

He added that given the big number of people who were expected, the Kireka Taxi Park would not be ideal because it would cause disruptions and pose a security risk.

In the city centre, the Police maintained their presence, patrolling and watching over vital facilities. The deployment started on Monday over fears of impending riots by the opposition.

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