Protesters unleash bees on anti-riot police officers

WESTERN REGION

Police warned last night of stern action against whoever was responsible for a “bees attack” against its personnel in Rukungiri District where business was paralysed amid heavy security deployment in the crackdown on renewed walk-to-work protests.

Two unidentified protesters shocked police when they approached a patrol pick-up on Republic Street and smashed two pot-fulls of bees at them. The insects went wild, stinging the officers as protesters gathered.

The police officers, who were patrolling the street at about 11am, fled the scene as onlookers also scampered for safety. Scores of passengers were left stranded as the bus park remained closed. Boda boda and special hire stages were also deserted. Rukungiri District Police Commander Julius Selube described the bee attack as a dangerous tactic. He promised action against the suspects.

Rukungiri, the home district of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, remained tense as protests against the rising cost of living, amid perceptions of widespread State corruption, got off to measured start.

Thirteen arrested
At least 13 people, some of them area leaders of opposition parties, were confirmed as having been arrested or confined to their homes by security forces in the region.

In Ntungamo District, police fired in the air to disperse peaceful demonstrators. The District Police Commander, Mr Francis Kabera, said six people were arrested for allegedly disrupting business and inciting businesspersons to join them.

About 20 people had started walking to work from Ntungamo’s Centenary Bank area moving towards FDC office but police intercepted them at Ntungamo Secondary School.

Those who were in police custody in Ntungamo by press time include Ms Alice Kafoda, the FDC chairperson for Women League, Mr Denis Mugizi the municipality FDC chairperson, Mr Benon Nuwagira, a businessman, Mr Aloysious Twine, the FDC administrative secretary, Mr Justus Muhwezi and Julius Sunday, a businessman.

Four other suspected demonstrators were arrested by Bushenyi police. All those arrested had not appeared in court by press time.

In Mbarara, DP vice president for western region Imam Issa Makumbi and three others were still in police custody by press time. Regional police spokesperson Polly Namaye said the Force was still consulting on charges to prefer against the suspects.

Policemen, who had camped outside the residences of opposition politicians in Mbarara Town, arrested Imam Makumbi soon after he emerged from his home on Makan Singh Street and attempted to address journalists.

Other politicians who were confined to their homes by a combined force of police and military personnel were FDC’s Stanley Katembeya and Mr Charles Atamba, the party’s district spokesperson.

Elsewhere, heavy security presence was visible on the main roads in all the four districts that make up Kigezi sub-region.

-By Joseph Mazige, Rajab Mukombozi, Robert Muhereza, Frankfurt Kuheisa, Paul Aruho, Perez Rumanzi & Michael J. Ssali.