Kitgum Police halts UPC demonstration
Feb 22, 2011
THE Police in Kitgum district on Monday stopped a demonstration by members of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party.
By Wokorach Oboi
THE Police in Kitgum district on Monday stopped a demonstration by members of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party.
The district Police commander, Nasur Oringa said the demonstrators had not sought permission from the Police before demonstrating.
“Even if you are going to hold a peaceful demonstration, you must write to the Inspector General of Police, who authorises demonstrations,†Oringa said.
The demonstrators were protesting the results of Chua parliamentary elections in which incumbent and UPC flag-bearer, Livingstone Okello Okello was defeated by state minister for international cooperation, Henry Okello Oryem.
The district returning officer, Betty Atim Owot, on Saturday declared Oryem the winner with 19,535 votes, representing 41.75% against Okello Okello’s 14,042 votes (30.01%).
The demonstrators, numbering about 15 and clad in the UPC party T-shirts, carried placards and marched through Kitgum town before they were stopped by Police near Boma grounds.
The youth, however, tried to resist claiming that they had the right to contest the results.
Some of the placards written in Luo and English read: “We want vote recountingâ€, “We detest robbery, intimidation and beating voters†and “We demand fresh elections for the directly elected Member of Parliamentâ€.
THE Police in Kitgum district on Monday stopped a demonstration by members of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party.
The district Police commander, Nasur Oringa said the demonstrators had not sought permission from the Police before demonstrating.
“Even if you are going to hold a peaceful demonstration, you must write to the Inspector General of Police, who authorises demonstrations,†Oringa said.
The demonstrators were protesting the results of Chua parliamentary elections in which incumbent and UPC flag-bearer, Livingstone Okello Okello was defeated by state minister for international cooperation, Henry Okello Oryem.
The district returning officer, Betty Atim Owot, on Saturday declared Oryem the winner with 19,535 votes, representing 41.75% against Okello Okello’s 14,042 votes (30.01%).
The demonstrators, numbering about 15 and clad in the UPC party T-shirts, carried placards and marched through Kitgum town before they were stopped by Police near Boma grounds.
The youth, however, tried to resist claiming that they had the right to contest the results.
Some of the placards written in Luo and English read: “We want vote recountingâ€, “We detest robbery, intimidation and beating voters†and “We demand fresh elections for the directly elected Member of Parliamentâ€.