Police block Lukwago from attending festival

Kampala- Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago was yesterday blocked from attending the city carnival organised by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), which he heads.

Early in the morning, the police deployed at Mr Lukwago’s residence in Lubaga Division and denied him exit, insisting that he presents his invitation card.

According to the Lord Mayor, officers led by Old Kampala Division police commander Julius Gobooro, mounted a road barrier outside his home since Saturday night.

“Police cordoned off my residence and mounted a roadblock with several officers and vans. When I told their commander (Mr Gobooro) that I was going to participate in the carnival, he insisted that I adduce evidence to prove that I was invited,” Mr Lukwago said.

The Lord Mayor, who is the political head of KCCA and the organiser of the festival, is mandated to attend.
He was later allowed to go to Mukono District to attend a function graced by the Kabaka amid heavy police escort, which later escorted him back to his home.

However, Mr Gobooro later told the Daily Monitor that the Lord Mayor had not been stopped from leaving his home since he had earlier attended a function in Mukono. “He even attended a function in Mukono, does that seem like someone who has been refused to go somewhere?” Mr Gobooro said.
He later turned off the telephone when the Daily Monitor pressed him to explain why the Force had deployed at Mr Lukwago’s residence.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi denied any deployment at Mr Lukwago’s residence or the police blocking him from attending the carnival.

KCCA Executive Director Jennifer Musisi confirmed having invited the Lord Mayor and councillors and was by press time still expecting him to attend.

“We sent invitation cards. I don’t know why he (Lukwago) is not here. But since it is still early, I hope he is on the way coming,” she said.

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