Nandala arrested as Police fire bullets to disperse pro-age limit protests 

The debate over the lifting of age limit for President has created a rift among sections of Ugandans with some engaging in fist fights. File photo

MBALE: 

Police in Mbale Town last evening arrested the Secretary General for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Nathan Nandala Mafabi for allegedly inciting violence after he led a protest against the Constitutional Amendment that seeks among others to remove presidential age limits from the 1995 Constitution. 

Mr Nandala was arrested on Friday, few meters away from Islamic University in Uganda, Mbale campus, along Mbale- Soroti Road, as he was heading to his constituency accompanied by a group of his supporters. 

By last evening, Mr Nandala was still detained at Mbale Central Police Station with 2 others identified as Emmanuel Masaba and Abdulah Magambo. 

Mr Nandala who is also the MP for Budadiri West in Sironko District had been scheduled to start his consultative meetings on Saturday on the proposed amendment of the Constitution to remove presidential age limits. 

Bullets fired

Police fired teargas and live bullets to disperse the protestors, who were matching from Kamonkoli trading center in Budaka District heading to Mbale town as they were singing and chanting “Togikwatoko”  loosely used to mean "don't touch Article 102(B)" that puts a cap on presidential candidates' age. 

Police blocked the processions against proceeding with the protest, saying it was illegal and contrary to the Public Order Management Act. 

The Elgon region police spokesperson, Mr Suwed Mansur confirmed the arrest and said the suspects will be charged with inciting violence. 

“We have arrested them over inciting violence,” he said, adding that the suspects started their demonstration on the streets yet Police had stopped them. 

However, the Mbale Municipality MP, Mr Jack Wamanga, said they would not give in, adding that Police should follow the law. 

“The police must work professionally and desist from interfering with our meetings as we consult our voters on the age limit,” he said. 

Mr Wamanga said police should also stop treating them as if they were rebels.