Police block Kabuleta's campaign rally in Masindi

Nov 16, 2020

Kabuleta, who was meant to have a campaign rally at Masindi Booma grounds, Sunday, first addressed traders at Kijura market before proceeding to the campaign venue, escorted by chanting supporters led by bodaboda riders.

ELECTION WATCH 

Police on Sunday (November 15, 2020) blocked a campaign rally for presidential candidate, Joseph Kabuleta in Masindi, on account of fl outing the campaign guidelines.

Kabuleta, who was meant to have a campaign rally at Masindi Booma grounds, Sunday, first addressed traders at Kijura market before proceeding to the campaign venue, escorted by chanting supporters led by bodaboda riders.

As he was proceeding towards Masindi town, he was intercepted and blocked by Police, led by the district Police commander, Vincent Irama, as he tried to take the street leading to Masindi central market, where he claimed he was going to have lunch before proceeding to the planned rally.

He had planned to address his supporters at Masindi playground.

Vincent Irama, the district Police commander, told Kabuleta that he had deviated from the agreed guidelines and was, instead holding a procession and ordered him to proceed to Kampala, which Kabuleta refused to heed. He instead came out of his vehicle to walk on the streets.

 

 

This prompted the DPC to force him back into his vehicle.

"I have not broken any law since I was supposed to be in Masindi today, according to the Electoral Commission programme. You, the Police, you are the ones breaking the law," Kabuleta told the Police.

This led to a verbal exchange between him and the Police before Kabuleta cancelled the rally.

He waved and talked to the people as the Police escorted him out of Masindi town.

"I have decided to cancel my rally in order to save my supporters from being tear-gassed and being shot by the Police. However, I requested them to vote for me so that I can liberate you fi nancially," he told the supporters.

Residents speak out

Kabuleta's supporters criticised the Police for blocking him from addressing them and vowed to vote for him whether he held a rally in Masindi or not.

"We are going to vote for our own, whether you block him or not. We have also got a chance to have a presidential candidate, we have to use this chance," one resident argued.

Police officers clash

Meanwhile, there was a clash between Kabuleta's body guards and the Police in Miirya cell, Kigulya division on the Masindi-Kampala road.

This was after a Police officer tear-gassed Kabuleta's supporters who had gathered as he bid farewell to them. However, the action angered Kabuleta's bodyguards, saying it was not necessary.

Kabuleta's bodyguards threatened to arrest the Police officer, who had tear-gassed the supporters, but the situation calmed after the Police officer apologised for his action.

On Saturday, Kabuleta first met his core team at Lado Hotel in Masindi town, where he said he would use the national resources to empower the people economically.

He cited the natural resources, such as the oil, the Murchison Falls National Park and Budongo forest, among others.

"My message is fi nancial liberation and I have to help my people in Bunyoro to enjoy their natural resources, which they have kept and failed to benefi t from," Kabuleta said.

Rodgers Kamusiime, a resident of Kasonogoire village, said they want a president who will help them get a public university, a good hospital and a modern market.

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