Police uses teargas to disperse unruly youth in Lira
Nov 12, 2020
There was heavy deployment of anti-riot police officers on Aduku Road
Business in Lira City was disrupted after a group of rowdy youth in a procession took to the streets and began robbing shop owners why chanting pro-Robert Kyagulanyi slogans.
Witnesses said three generators were robbed from a shop on Obote Avenue at around 2:00pm, while a man lost his phone as he tried to take photos of the group.
Presidential candidate Robert Kyagulangi Ssentamu alias Bobi Wine was heading to Lira from Apac. The NUP candidate was in Oyam on Thursday morning.
In Lira, the youth carrying posters of Kyagulanyi engaged in running battles with the Police for several hours.
The skirmishes mainly occurred on Aduku Road where Kyagulanyi was expected to hold his campaign meeting. The group also pelted the Police with stones as the officers pursued them.
There was heavy deployment of anti-riot police officers on Aduku Road and military officers arrived from the 5th Division headquarters in Acholi Pii, Pader district arrived as reinforcements.
By 5:30 pm, the Police was engaging the rowdy group but Kyagulanyi had not arrived.
Streets remained deserted for much of the evening after that.