Police block FDC relief food distribution

Two people were on Wednesday injured as Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters in Toroma County engaged in running battles with police after the East Kyoga regional police commander ordered for the dispersal of people who had gathered to receive relief food at Toroma Sub-county headquarters in Katakwi District.
The former FDC presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye and a group of other party members had reached out to Toroma to supply relief food, only to be blocked by police.
Mr Francis Tumwesigye, acting RPC told journalists that they needed to examine the food before they allow the FDC party members to distribute it.

"We are not sure of the safety of food, so it's worth examining it before given out, " he said, adding that police was not consulted by Dr Besigye before he started distributing the food.
Attempts by the retired Bishop for Soroti Bernard Obaikol to settle the impasse seemed fruitless as the shooting of live ammunition and teargas continued.
"I think it's better to allow the food distribution to go on, the people have starved and the truth is food shortage is real," he explained.
The charged crowd accused the RPC of being insensitive to their plight.

An 89-year-old, Lawrence Otim braved the teargas and walked to Dr Besigye’s car with his polythene bag saying he had starved long enough before thanking him (Besigye) for the struggle.
"I have starved for long it is amazing that FDC has brought food, let police allow us receive this food, " he said.
Dr Besigye told journalists that it’s unfortunate that police can block starving people from receiving food.
Dr Besigye was accompanied by the Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, Kawempe South MP Mubarak Muyangwa, FDC party president Mugisha Muntu and the party secretary for mobilization Ingrid Turinawe, a mong others.

The Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees and Member of Parliament for Lamwo County Hillary Onek recently told Daily Monitor that following their assessment, it was discovered that 80 of the 112 districts need urgent food aid.
In August 2016, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis report indicated that 16 per cent of Uganda population could be prone to hunger.
According to the Disaster Preparedness and Refugees ministry, the country is experiencing intensive and extensive drought that has left nearly nine million people including farmers and herdsmen in despair as crops dry up and animals starve to death.