Heavy police deployment in Masaka ahead of walk-to-work re-launch

Police deploys heavily in Masaka ahead of the re-launch of the opposition nationwide walk-to-work protests today to express their dissatisfaction at the government’s handling of the high and rising cost of living in the country.

Senior Commissioner of Police Andrew Sorowen, in Masaka to oversee the police crackdown on the opposition activists told a press conference earlier this morning that the opposition will not be allowed to address a rally scheduled at 2.PM today at near Nyendo central market because it would disrupt other people’s activities.

But Masaka Municipality MP and national coordinator of Activists for Change pressure group, which is leading the protests, Mr Mathias Mpuuga, says the opposition will go ahead with the rally at Kasana playgrounds.

Opposition Forum for Democratic Change president, Dr Kizza Besigye is expected to speak at the rally, which will also be used as a memorial service in honour of those who were killed during the earlier protests will be held in Nyendo, Masaka, where 2-year-old Juliana Nalwanga was shot. It is expected that the leaders will announce the next course of action countrywide.

Our correspondents on the ground say there is heavy police deployments backed up by military personnel and heavy military hardware.

In late March, the A4C announced protests following a sharp rise in the cost of fuel and other basic commodities. The protests that were brutally quelled by police and other state agencies ended with nine people shot dead in Kampala, Masaka, Mbale and Gulu and most opposition leaders arrested and charged with various offences ranging from inciting violence, failure to obey police orders, assaulting police and being public nuisance. The suspects have been largely discharged either by the DPP dropping the charges or court dismissing them.

Dr Kizza Besigye, leader of the lead opposition party was badly battered and sprayed with toxic substances, leaving him half blind. He was flown to Nairobi and later to the US for treatment, only to return on May 12 to be treated to a tumultuous welcome that overshadowed President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing in for a fourth elective term of office.