Mbabazi denied venue in Jinja

Police in Jinja have stopped all the intended rallies for presidential aspirant John Patrick Amama Mbabazi during his eastern region consultative meeting in Jinja today. The Regional Police Commander for Kiira region SP. Edison Nyabongo told the press at his office along Belle Avenue that police received a communication from Jinja Town Clerk David Kyasanku denying Amama Mbabazi the venues he had proposed to use for his rallies at Kakindu stadium and Kazimingi industrial park in the town.

In the said communication dated 8th September 2015, Mr Kyasanku tells the chairperson of the organizing committee of Mbabazi’s consultative meetings Mr Robert Kanusu that the Uganda Police had booked Kakindu stadium from 9th September to 8th October to carry out their activities and therefore Amama could not access it.

“I regret to inform you that permission on the selected days for the venues requested for is not granted unless an alternative free Hall is sought for,” reads Kyasanku’s letter.

The Town clerk also claims he received a petition from Jinja Taxi Operators Association requesting him not to allow political activities at Kazimingi venue for fear of disrupting taxi business.

Nyabonngo also said he received another communication from Chairman of the Electoral Commission Badru Kigundu stopping political rallies of presidential aspirants before the official campaign dates. Earlier, Kanusu had called Mbabazi supporters to welcome their candidate at Kazimingi for a rally. Early this morning Mr Kanusu said they were still consulting their legal team to give them direction on the matter. He insisted Mbabazi’s plan to consult is still unchanged.