DP, NRM youth groups clash

Business activities in Kinoni trading centre, Lwengo district, on Wednesday were paralysed for over two hours as Democratic Party (DP) and National Resistance Movement (NRM) youth groups clashed over the presidential age limit concerns.

Two DP youth were injured in the process and admitted in critical condition while several were arrested for unlawful assembly.

Hakim Kizza (second-left) leading DP youth in their protest. Photos by Davis Buyondo

Trouble started at about 10:00am when a group of more than 30 DP youth led by Hakim Kizza and Tonny Nsibuka stormed the streets matching in protest of the removal of presidential term limit.

They were dressed in party colours with red-ribbons tied on their heads. 

About 30 minutes later, another group of NRM youth wielding sticks and wires led by one identified as Karangwa, intercepted the protestors and flogged them.

This resulted into a fight. Anti-riot police arrived to stop the scuffle, arrested some protestors and detained them at Kinoni Police station.

Kizza, the DP Mobiliser and Nsibuka, who heads DP youth desk, were taken to Kinoni Health Centre for treatment after sustaining injuries.

Lameck Kigozi, the Southern Region police spokesperson, said the suspects will be charged for holding an unlawful assembly.

"We intervened to save them because they would be killed. The badly assaulted were taken for medical attention," he said.

Police deployed to keep peace after the clash

He appealed DP youth to desist from holding assemblies or political rallies without police notice. Kigozi explained that police must get notice in order to offer protection.