People take cover as Police fire teargas and bullets. Photos by Ashraf Kasirye


Police have explained why an opposition rally on age limit Bill was dispersed in Kasubi a Kampala suburb.

A consultative meeting on the Bill organized by opposition MPs led by the Leader of Opposition in Parliament (LOP) Winnie Kiiza on Tuesday afternoon ended prematurely after Police fired tear gas and live bullets.

The acting Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Luke Owoyesigyire, told New Vision, that the fracas was caused by Kyadondo East MP Robert Kyagulanyi alias Bobi Wine who refused to use the right road (as allocated by police) while leaving the venue after making his speech.

“The road he wanted to use is under construction, so we designated for him another road to use, but he defied the orders and instead his supporters started throwing stones to our officers,” he explained.

 Kizza and her bodyguards after they were soaked with teargas.

He added that police had agreed with opposition MPs to hold peaceful meetings, but this time it went out of hand and police had to disperse them. “We allowed everyone to speak whatever they wanted but when they turned against the agreement that is what we had to do,” he explained.

The meeting took place in Rubaga North hosted by area MP Moses Kasibante.
After Bobi Wine wound up his remarks, gave the microphone to Kasibante who invited the Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to address the gathering.

 

As Lukwago started his speech, a scuffle broke out between a group of people and police at the back of the audience.  Lukwago tried to calm the people but in vain.
Police fired teargas and bullets in the air. All the MPs fled the scene except the Leader of Opposition Winnie Kiiza who remained being protected by her security detail.

Police officers tried to evacuate her out of the place, but she insisted on remaining with her supporters.

“I invited these people to this meeting, they came and now you want me to leave them in this situation when some of them are crying? I can’t leave this place unless you stop shooting at us,” said Kiiza.

 Bobi Wine making his way to the rally venue

A 31-year-old Daniel Damba a resident of Nansana and a 25-year-old Farouq Bukenya resident of Nakulabye were injured.

Owoyesigyire denied any injuries caused by police shootings, claiming that only a few people got unconscious due to tear gas. “We even never made any arrests,” he said.

The injured were taken to hospital. Another pregnant woman who had fallen unconscious was rushed to a nearby hospital.