Police block Mao rally in Gulu
DP president Norbert Mao speaking to the Gulu DPC Martin Okoyo Sunday at Kaunda grounds in Gulu Municipality where he was expected to address a rally along with other acholi cultural, religious and political leaders. Photo by Julius Ocungi
Police in Gulu district have blocked a planned rally by Democratic Party (DP).
On Sunday, police led by the District Police Commander Mr Martin Okoyo cordoned-off Kaunda Grounds in Gulu Municipality where DP president Norbert Mao was expected to hold a rally.
The Public address system which was to be used by the party leaders was also confiscated.
Mr Mao said DP in conjunction with Acholi leaders are on a regional campaign whose purpose is to call for truth, justice and peace for the people of Acholi.
He further noted that Reagan Okumu, Gulu woman MP Betty Aol Ocan, Gulu DPC, 4th Division commander Brig Muhanga Kayanja, Gulu RDC, Acholi cultural institution leaders among others had been invited.
According to Mr Okoyo, Mao did not inform the police of his intention to use the venue.
He noted that the security situation in Gulu District is still at stake and using the venue without informing police can be risky to the locals who might get attacked during the rally.
In less than a month, Gulu has suffered two attacks which according to security agencies were masterminded by people whose intention is to cause chaos and distablise the region which endured two decades of insurgency by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels.
Police Tuesday confirmed that they had arrested 10 suspects including commanders of the May 27 attack on a Local Defence Unit (LDU) detach in Opit and Sunday night attack on Gulu Central Police Station.
The assailants on LDU detachment killed two people and fled with guns whereas as the Sunday incident cost the lives of two security officers Cpl Moses Edema (UPDF) and the Aswa Regional Fire Officer Moses Masaba.
