Police to stop A4C rallies over violence
A4C supporters attend a rally in Kasangati at the weekend. PHOTO BY ISAAC KASAMANI
What you need to know:
The force accuses youth at the rallies of pelting them with stones and blocking roads.
Kampala
The Police have warned that the ongoing countrywide rallies organised by political pressure group- Activists for Change (A4C), should stop because they have turned rowdy.
Following the melee that characterised a rally in Kasangati, the Kampala Metropolitan Police Commander, Mr Andrew Kaweesi, made a resolve to block the whole exercise.
On Saturday, Kasangati Town was turned into a battle field as youths were engaged in running battles with the riot police. The youths also erected two fire points in the middle of the road.
The youths blocked the roads with logs and rocks causing heavy traffic between Kampala and the area. Vehicles were forcibly diverted to a nearby murrum road. Kasangati Town, FDC leader Dr Kiiza Besigye’s area of residence, is now famous as a flash point of the walk-to-work protests.
Mr Kaweesi said a number of cars were smashed and scores of people injured, including two policemen. “These rallies have turned violent and although police have been restrained from using force, these people are pelting stones at us,” Mr Kaweesi said.
He added: “We made it clear that after rallies, no processions would be entertained. We have allowed them hold their rallies, but as things are now, we have no option but to stop them indefinitely.”
However, A4C national coordinator, also Masaka Municipality MP, Mr Mathias Mpuuga, said Mr Kaweesi would not win the battle if he dares stop their rallies. “I can assure him that he will not win this one,” Mr Mpuuga said. “I am not surprised at his utterances, he has tried this for a long time. It is not true that our supporters are the ones smashing people’s car windscreens but it’s his police.”
Police has not arrested any youths accused of pelting stones at their personnel, making Mr Kaweesi’s remarks doubtable. Mr Mpuuga accused Mr Kaweesi of organising goons to disrupt his rallies by throwing stones.
The A4C rallies are aimed at mobilising, educating and rallying masses by the opposition politicians to create a change in governance.
A4C campaign sensitises Ugandans about the rampant corruption and embezzlement of public funds in Museveni’s government, and calling for an immediate change. The Saturday rally at Kasangati was the second last to be held in the central region.
