Mbale Police arrest seven over demo defiance protests

Police in Mbale has arrested seven people suspected to be behind the group of oppositions that have been mobilizing masses to turn up for demonstration on Mbale streets.

The seven were on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 picked from Mbale main garage in industrial division Mbale municipality during an operation curried out by both Police and army after a tip off.

Elgon regional police spokesperson Diana Nandawula identified the suspects in police custody as Juma Kaligida  27years, Saidi Wasiba 45 years, Rashid Nsuna, Iddi Bisaso all mechanics at Mbale Garage. Others include Joshua Kawanguzi 51 year's driver, Simon Wanyama 38 years Boda-Boda and Robert Kamutono 26 years.

"We received information that these opposition leaders had held a meeting behind Nathan Nandala petrol station along Masajanga road where they unveiled ten men committee that would help in mobilizing others to join demonstration, " Nandawula said.

"So on Wednesday, May 04, 2016, we swung into action both police and army and cordoned off their tactical base in Mbale garage where we managed to arrest the seven,' Nandawula added.

She said that the suspects are currently being detained at Mbale central police station as their files are being processed and will be charged for inciting public.

Nandawula said that security both police and army are monitoring the situation ready to crush anybody who will turn up on the streets for demonstration.

Meanwhile several shops in Mbale business Centre have remained closed for fear that demonstrators would take advantage to rob their goods.

The New Vision took to the streets of Mbale and found out shops along republic street had opened by 11:00am while shops and markets in suburbs were operating normally although few people were seen doing business.

"We are not as busy as we always do in the morning. We cooked food but very few of our customers have turned up for business hence affecting our business," Carol Nambuya food vender in Nkoma said.

Efforts to reach some of the FDC and other opposition leaders in the district could not yield fruits as most them did not answer their calls for a comment.