The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
It all started when police blocked the FDC supporters from accessing Rukungiri Municipal stadium for thanks giving prayers and commemoration of the late Edison Nasasira alias Kakuru, a taxi tout at Nabugabo stage and a resident of Kafunjo cell in Eastern division in Rukungiri Municipality.
He was shot dead by anti-riot police on October 18th 2017 during clashes between police and opposition supporters when police denied them access to Rukungiri Municipal stadium.
Six others including Junior Aijuka, Farouk Bangirana,Julius Turyomunsi, Christopher Muhwezi, Davidson Aryasingura and Naris Muhumuza sustained gunshot wounds in the fracas.
On Sunday, Rukungiri District Police Commander, Moses Nanoka and the Kigezi region Police spokesperson, Ely Maate said they wouldn’t allow the opposition gathering to take place, saying the organisers hadn’t sought police clearance.
On Monday morning, security officials led by the Kigezi Region Police Commander, Richard Ecega, Rukungiri District Police Commander, Moses Nanoka and Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner, Dan Kaguta held a closed door meeting with FDC leaders including the former president, Dr. Kiiza Besigye, FDC party President, Patrick Oboi Amuriat, the Rujumbura County Member of parliament, Fred Turyamuhweza and Woman Member of Parliament, Betty Bamukwawsa Muzaniira.
However, the parties failed to agree on a way forward. After the meeting Besigye retreated to his home in Rwakabengo village in Southern Division to prepare for the function. He heavily armed anti-riot police cordoned off the home and blocked him from leaving.
At around 2:30pm, a group of angry FDC supporters led by their National Mobilization Secretary, Ingrid Turinawe gathered in front of their party offices and started praying.
Others lit fire in the middle of the roads expressing to protest police presence in the area prompting police to disperse them using tear gas and water cannons.
Phone Video: Police breaks into offices of @FDCOfficial1 in Rukungiri to arrest the Chairperson of the party’s Women’s League Ingrid Turinawe ahead of prayers that were set to be held in commemoration of those lost during the age limit protests. #NTVNews https://t.co/AgrIO3bWpF pic.twitter.com/GtJG4x6fl9
— NTV UGANDA (@ntvuganda) November 26, 2018
During the fracas, police picked up Ingrid Turinawe, the Deputy Speaker Rukungiri Municipality, Innocent Tashobya and Nicholas Atuhairwe, an FDC youth activist among other party members.
Dan Kaguta, the Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner says as security, they cannot allow an unauthorized gathering to take place since it contravenes the Public Order management Act.
By the time of filling the story, police and FDC supporters were still in running battles.
