Muhwezi Deplores Violence

By Mathias Mugisha RUJUMBURA MP, Brigadier Jim Muhwezi, has condemned the violence which erupted in Rukungiri town on Saturday after presidential candidate Kizza Besigye's rally that left one man dead and several others injured. Speaking to reporters on Sunday morning, Muhwezi said the violence started after the rally when Besigye's supporters moving through Rukungiri town, met Museveni's supporters at Agip Petrol station. "Besigye's supporters threw stones at Yoweri Museveni's supporters and one woman, a secretary of Universal School was instantly injured. More stones were from behind the Agip where Besigye had his campaign offices. When soldiers saw blood, they reacted by shooting in self defence, Muhwezi said." Quoting the acting DPC of Rukungiri, Charles Odowa, Muhwezi said the dead man, Johnson Baronda, was shot near the Classic bar. "I condemn all forms of violence, intimidation and provocation, I am saddened by the death of this man, the injured soldiers and civilians. I want a thorough investigation so that the culprits are found and punished," Muhwezi said. The Brigadier, who is also the coordinator of Museveni's National Task Force for Western Uganda condemned the use of excessive force and wondered why anti-riot police failed to act. "If there was failure of the police to use the anti-riot squad, which necessitated the UPDF to react, that failure should be investigated," he said. Muhwezi wondered where the Police were when the army was forced to shoot. He appealed for calm and told people that the elections will end and life will continue. Ends