{UAH} uPolice stop Mbabazi, Lukwago youth meet
|
1:22 AM |
No comments |
National
Police stop Mbabazi, Lukwago youth meet
Posted Sunday, August 16 2015 at 01:00
In Summary
Conflict. Scuffles between Muslim youth and police paralysed business and traffic on the Makerere-Wandegeya road as motorists stopped to witness the confrontations.
KAMPALA. Police blocked a meeting by former prime minister Amama Mbabazi and Kampala Lord mayor Erias Lukwago, who were going to address Muslim youths at Makerere University on Friday.
Mr Lukwago was stopped from entering Makerere University main gate to address the Muslim youth at the University Main Hall.
The meeting was organised by the Muslim Youth Development Platform. The Muslim youth forum had invited Mr Mbabazi, Mr Lukwago and a host of other politicians to address them on economic empowerment and development.
Other invited guests included Mr Muhammed Nsereko, Mr Asuman Basalirwa, Mr Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Mr Muhammed Kiggundu, all Opposition politicians, and Ms Zahra Nampewo, a law lecturer at Makerere University.
Mr Lukwago was the first guest to reach the main gate, but upon realising the intensity of the situation, he drove away. It turned dramatic when Mr Umar Kalinge Nyago, the deputy secretary general of JEEMA party, held prayers in front of a police armoured truck with blaring sirens as the Muslim youth cheered him up.
The scuffles between the Muslim youth and police paralysed business and traffic on the Makerere-Wandegeya road as motorists stopped to witness the confrontations.
Police later sprayed the youth with pepper but they remained defiant as they wiped their faces and shouted "Allah Akbar".
Mr Taha Kasule, the spokesperson of the Muslim Youth Development Platform, said the meeting was intended to discuss problems affecting the youth and their role in politics. He castigated police for disrupting their meeting and described the move as a cowardly act by the government which denies its people opportunity to assemble and associate peacefully.
"Government is insensitive. It has always helped other people but whenever Muslims gather to address their grievances and find a way forward, police block them. This regime has made people suffer by turning a deaf ear to their problems. The guests came to address the youth but not to hold a political rally. Why did police stop them? This shows how democracy in our country has been defiled by the NRM," Mr Kasule said.
Police arrested Mr Kalinge Nyago and Mr Swaibu Mukasa and drove them away. By press time, their whereabouts were still unknown.
When Sunday Monitor contacted Mr Lukwago, he described the police act as a sign of impunity by the NRM regime. He blamed more the government than police and speculated that next year's elections will be violent because government is scared.
"I am shocked that police has blocked us from addressing the youth. Police itself was aware and the university management had given us permission. Besides, the event was well advertised, why block us at the 11th hour when we are set?" Mr Lukwago asked.
Mr Mbabazi did not show up at the scene but the spokesperson for his campaign team, Ms Josephine Mayanja Nkangi, confirmed he was expected to address the Muslim youth at the venue and only stopped after learning police had besieged the place.
Asked why police blocked the meeting, the Wandegeya district police commander, Mr Brian Ampaire, said the organisers had not sought permission from police to guarantee them security.
The organisers dismissed the police claim as "usual lies" to defend their "illegal acts".
Disclaimer:Everyone posting to this Forum bears the sole responsibility for any legal consequences of his or her postings, and hence statements and facts must be presented responsibly. Your continued membership signifies that you agree to this disclaimer and pledge to abide by our Rules and Guidelines.To unsubscribe from this group, send email to: ugandans-at-heart+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com or Abbey Semuwemba at: abbeysemuwemba@gmail.com.
0 comments:
Post a Comment