Opposition hails police's new approach on rallies

By David Lumu

Opposition leaders have praised Police’s new approach towards their countrywide rallies that are tailored on sensitizing the masses about the need for free and fair elections.

Speaking at the UPC headquarters in Kampala, Dr. Kizza Besigye, the former FDC president said that their northern tour was a peaceful venture.

The former presidential candidate also urged police and government to continue with the new policy of non-interference as a tool for shaping a harmonious democratic dispensation in the country.

“There was no interference at all, we are happy with that,” Besigye said at a joint press briefing attended by DP president Norbert Mao, UPC president Olara Otunnu, Butambala County MP Muwanga Kivumbi and retired Bishop Zac Niringiye.

“We are glad to note that there was no disruption of our meetings and radio programmes. We had a very successful town hall meeting in Arua and other areas in the North; Nebbi, Gulu, Kitgum, Lira,” Besigye said.

Besigye traces the new approach of police from the meeting that opposition leaders had with the security top brass - General Aronda Nyakairima, the minister of Internal Affairs and General Kale Kayihura, the Inspector General of Police.

The meeting convened last month came after a frosty relationship between police and opposition over when and how to conduct their rallies.

Since March this year, the opposition has been traversing the country to spread the free and fair election campaign.
This weekend, they opposition top brass would be heading to Hoima and Masindi.