Police blocks FDC Women's Day celebrations

Police in Ngora blocked former Forum for Democratic Party (FDC) president, Dr Kizza Besigye and his supporters from holding rallies in the district.

Police officers were stationed in the district to block the function. Photo by Charles Achoda

FDC was scheduled to hold its Women's Day celebrations in the district on Saturday but was blocked by Police on grounds that the party did not seek permission from the district authorities and that aspects of the public order management law were not fulfilled.

Ngora FDC chairperson, Sarah Eperu, said FDC was to celebrate the day at Koloin Primary School in Kapir Sub County but was blocked by Police who she claims had earlier given them permission.

According to Eperu, FDC was to undertake a number of activities to mark the day including distribution of mama kits to expectant mothers, sanitary pads to school girls, general cleaning of the district health facilities, a bicycle race and many others.

Police director of operations Asuman Mugenyi said they could not allow FDC to hold the celebrations because the district had already held celebrations on March 13.

"We could not allow them to hold their party celebrations because they were taking locals for granted and were disrupting the normal government program of distribution of mosquito nets in the district," Mugenyi said.

FDC's Sarah Eperu (C) cleaning Mukura Health Center III in Ngora as part of the celebrations. Photo by Charles Achoda

Eperu distributing mama kits at Mukura Health Center III. Photo by Charles Achoda

Ngora RDC John Henry Ariong said Besigye and the FDC party did not have a clear program for the visit in the district and therefore they could not allow them disrupt people, most of whom are farmers that are taking advantage of the current rains.

"These people just wanted to promote their defiance campaign but we could not allow them to disrupt people when they are busy in their gardens," Ariong said.

While addressing locals in Koloin and Ngora town council, Besigye accused Police of using excessive teargas on him and his supporters as if they were hardcore criminals.

He said the purpose of his visit to Ngora district was to celebrate Women's Day, thank the people of Ngora district for always voting him, mobilize support for the party and to visit the family of late Charles Willy Ekemu who was the former MP for Soroti Municipality but that Police took it as a confrontational visit.

Besigye was in company of FDC secretary for mobilization Ingrid Turinawe, Eng Patrick Amuriat Oboi and other FDC party leaders.